I manufatti in bronzo del sito arginato di Fondo Paviani (Verona) – Scavi Università di Padova 2007-2012. Inquadramento tipocronologico e analisi archeometriche.

Bronze artefacts from the embanked settlement of Fondo Paviani (Verona) – Padova University excavations 2007-2012. Chronotyp ology and Archaeometry - The paper presents the results of the chronotypological and archaeometrical analysis of some bronze artefacts from the settlement of Fondo Paviani, found between 2007 and 2011 during University of Padua field research. Most of the objects were found in a reliable stratigraphic context, while others were from surface survey. The samples can be generally dated between the Recent Bronze Age and the first phase of Final Bronze Age. In order to investigate the chemical nature of artefacts, the processing techniques and the source of the copper, 10 particularly significant objects were selected for analysis. After a preliminary study by optical microscopy to investigate the state of preservation, the presence of use or processing marks, and the most suitable area for micro-sampling, the extracted fragments were characterized by SEM-EDS analysis, optical metallography and EPMA. Furthermore, the lead isotope ratios were determined on all the finished artefacts and three fragments of ingots by mass spectroscopy method (ICP-MC-MS), in order to identify the ore sources. In all cases the isotopic signal shows the signature of the copper mineralizations related to the Eastern Southern Alps, including three objects specifically related to the volcanogenic massive sulphides deposits (VMS) of the Valsugana area.