I metalli raccontano. L'analisi tecno-funzionale dei manufatti in lega di rame della tarda preistoria italiana

This article discusses the application of Metalwork Wear Analysis to the study of portable copper-alloy artefacts from Eneolithic and Bronze Age Italy. In doing so, it celebrates Filippo Maria Gambari’s longstanding interest in the technology and uses of ancient metals. The authors first introduce the history, methods, and protocols of Metalwork Wear Analysis (MWA), a sub-field of traceology that has developed in the past 25 years. Subsequently, drawing on the analysis of Eneolithic axes and daggers, they illustrate how MWA allows a novel understanding of the manufacturing technology and uses of these objects. Furthermore, the authors discuss the firstever successful characterisation of organic and inorganic residues extracted from archaeological metals, as well as leading-edge field experiments with awl and dagger replicas. The experiments provide traceological reference collections to interpret ancient wear marks and offer body-centred insights of the skills and gestures of prehistoric smiths and tool users. In conclusion, the authors debate future developments of MWA, especially the need to foster an Italian community of metal usewear specialists taking the research forwards.