Archaeometallurgical study of paleovenetian fibulae

Abstract This paper concerns an interdisciplinary research about paleovenetian bronze fibulae (VIII-III BC), found in a necropolis near Este (North East Italy). The paleovenetian people probably moved during the X-XII centuries BC from Asia Minor to European and Adriatic regions (Gallia, Balkanic regions, North and Central Italy). Many archaeological metallic and ceramic findings, excavated in North East Italian regions, have given an accurate definition of the local distribution of this people. The paleovenetian civilization had its main development from the VIII century BC. During that age, the most important worship places have been brought to light. The finds coming from these excavations allowed an investigation on both the culture and technological level of metallic and ceramic production. In this paper the results obtained on a collection of bronze fibulae are reported. The chemical characterization has been performed by means XRF and AAS. The microstructure has been studied on small cross sections by means Optical and electron Microscopy. The alloy composition has been determined (bronze with a low level of impurities), the metallurgical and joining technologies have been investigated