A multi-analytical approach to unveil Early Bronze Age population dynamics and metal exchange networks at the foot of Mount Vesuvius
Abstract The trajectories of human and object mobility in the 3rd and 2nd millennia BC have long been a significant area of inquiry within prehistoric archaeology and over the past decade, aDNA and isotope analyses revealed a complex pattern of human migration, cultural admixture and exchange routes...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-06-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-03024-5 |
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| author | Maria De Falco Paola Aurino Claudio Cavazzuti Chiara Lucarelli Caterina Canovaro Federico Lugli Alessandra Sperduti Viola Cecconi Ivana Angelini Gilberto Artioli Anna Cipriani |
| author_facet | Maria De Falco Paola Aurino Claudio Cavazzuti Chiara Lucarelli Caterina Canovaro Federico Lugli Alessandra Sperduti Viola Cecconi Ivana Angelini Gilberto Artioli Anna Cipriani |
| author_sort | Maria De Falco |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract The trajectories of human and object mobility in the 3rd and 2nd millennia BC have long been a significant area of inquiry within prehistoric archaeology and over the past decade, aDNA and isotope analyses revealed a complex pattern of human migration, cultural admixture and exchange routes. While Northern Italy is clearly involved in this phenomenon, there remains a significant gap for the south of the country, generally considered peripheral to major exchange networks in this phase. Recently, two large cemeteries have been discovered in the hinterland of Mount Vesuvius (Acerra, Italy). They have yielded unprecedented numbers of exotic metal objects dating to 2400–1800 BC. Such items are extremely rare in Southern Italy, displaying typologies more commonly found across Northern Italy and Central Europe. Archaeological, bioanthropological and geochemical methods were applied to material from the cemeteries. Pb isotope analyses and metal artifact distribution modeling revealed long-distance terrestrial and maritime connections to Northern Italy, Continental Europe and the Western Mediterranean. Conversely, Sr isotope data indicate that these prestigious and exotic objects were deposited within a context of low human mobility. By integrating investigations into both metal and human mobility, this study emphasizes the extent and complexity of the exchange network in Southern Italy around 2000 BC. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-0fa8d8325a7e44eea28b89b8f0626de3 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
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| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-0fa8d8325a7e44eea28b89b8f0626de32025-08-20T03:10:29ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-06-0115111510.1038/s41598-025-03024-5A multi-analytical approach to unveil Early Bronze Age population dynamics and metal exchange networks at the foot of Mount VesuviusMaria De Falco0Paola Aurino1Claudio Cavazzuti2Chiara Lucarelli3Caterina Canovaro4Federico Lugli5Alessandra Sperduti6Viola Cecconi7Ivana Angelini8Gilberto Artioli9Anna Cipriani10Department of Chemical and Geological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio EmiliaSoprintendenza Archeologia Belle Arti E Paesaggio Per La Provincia Di CosenzaDepartment of History and Culture, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of BolognaDepartment of Geosciences, University of PaduaDepartment of Geosciences, University of PaduaDepartment of Chemical and Geological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio EmiliaBioarcheological Service, Museum of CivilizationsDepartment of Odontostomatological and Maxillofacial Sciences, Sapienza University of RomeDepartment of Cultural Heritage: Archaeology and History of Art, Cinema and Music, University of PaduaDepartment of Geosciences, University of PaduaDepartment of Chemical and Geological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio EmiliaAbstract The trajectories of human and object mobility in the 3rd and 2nd millennia BC have long been a significant area of inquiry within prehistoric archaeology and over the past decade, aDNA and isotope analyses revealed a complex pattern of human migration, cultural admixture and exchange routes. While Northern Italy is clearly involved in this phenomenon, there remains a significant gap for the south of the country, generally considered peripheral to major exchange networks in this phase. Recently, two large cemeteries have been discovered in the hinterland of Mount Vesuvius (Acerra, Italy). They have yielded unprecedented numbers of exotic metal objects dating to 2400–1800 BC. Such items are extremely rare in Southern Italy, displaying typologies more commonly found across Northern Italy and Central Europe. Archaeological, bioanthropological and geochemical methods were applied to material from the cemeteries. Pb isotope analyses and metal artifact distribution modeling revealed long-distance terrestrial and maritime connections to Northern Italy, Continental Europe and the Western Mediterranean. Conversely, Sr isotope data indicate that these prestigious and exotic objects were deposited within a context of low human mobility. By integrating investigations into both metal and human mobility, this study emphasizes the extent and complexity of the exchange network in Southern Italy around 2000 BC.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-03024-5Isotopic analysesBronze objectsArchaeometryBronze ageMobility |
| spellingShingle | Maria De Falco Paola Aurino Claudio Cavazzuti Chiara Lucarelli Caterina Canovaro Federico Lugli Alessandra Sperduti Viola Cecconi Ivana Angelini Gilberto Artioli Anna Cipriani A multi-analytical approach to unveil Early Bronze Age population dynamics and metal exchange networks at the foot of Mount Vesuvius Scientific Reports Isotopic analyses Bronze objects Archaeometry Bronze age Mobility |
| title | A multi-analytical approach to unveil Early Bronze Age population dynamics and metal exchange networks at the foot of Mount Vesuvius |
| title_full | A multi-analytical approach to unveil Early Bronze Age population dynamics and metal exchange networks at the foot of Mount Vesuvius |
| title_fullStr | A multi-analytical approach to unveil Early Bronze Age population dynamics and metal exchange networks at the foot of Mount Vesuvius |
| title_full_unstemmed | A multi-analytical approach to unveil Early Bronze Age population dynamics and metal exchange networks at the foot of Mount Vesuvius |
| title_short | A multi-analytical approach to unveil Early Bronze Age population dynamics and metal exchange networks at the foot of Mount Vesuvius |
| title_sort | multi analytical approach to unveil early bronze age population dynamics and metal exchange networks at the foot of mount vesuvius |
| topic | Isotopic analyses Bronze objects Archaeometry Bronze age Mobility |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-03024-5 |
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