Archaeological excavation at Pletz von Mozze, Luserna, Trentino, Italy. A case study for assessment of late bronze age metallurgical activities

In the last rwo years (2005-2006). the Archaeological Heritage Department of the Autonomous Province of Trento has started extensive archaeological investigations at a site called Pletz von Mezze. Unlike previous exploratory surveys. the research carried out involved extensive investigation, allowing recognition of the effective stratigraphic extent of the site and a large area dedicated to prehistoric metallurgical activities has been identified. The Luserna archaeometallurgical site may represent a case study for a Late Bronze Age smelting site. It is not directly related to the presence of ore nearby. Nonetheless the site shows extensive evidence of smelting activities and has been therefore selected as a test site. providing for close collaboration between archaeologists and archaeometallurgists during excavation. in an attempt to dynamically exchange data, analytical results and experience aud to allow full assessment of ancient metallurgical activities.