The Etruscans at Populonia, Tuscany: Iron and base metals smelting

摘要

For centuries retained as one of the most important ironworking centres of Europe in the 1st millennium BC, the Populonia-Baratti site (southern Tuscany) may have played an important role for the production of base metals (Cu, Pb, Sn) as well. In order to test type and extent of metal production in the area on a more quantitative basis, a detailed archaeometallurgical survey has been undertaken in the industrial quarters of the Baratti plain. The features of metallurgical slags corning from four sites (P. Porcareccia, Casone, Campo Ⅵ and the slag beach deposit) have been studied in detail. Results are discussed in terms of types and extent of smelting processes.