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The Late Bronze Age (1700–900 BC) represents an extremely dynamic period for Mediterranean Europe. Here, we provide a comparative survey of the archaeological record of over half a millennium within the entire northern littoral of the Mediterranean, from Greece to Iberia, incorporating archaeological, archaeometric, and bioarchaeological evidence. The picture that emerges, while certainly fragmented and not displaying a unique trajectory, reveals a number of broad trends in aspects as different as social organization, trade, transcultural phenomena, and human mobility. The contribution of such trends to the processes that caused the end of the Bronze Age is also examined. Taken together, they illustrate how networks of interaction, ranging from the short to the long range, became a defining aspect of the “Middle Sea” during this time, influencing the lives of the communities that inhabited its northern shore. They also highlight the importance of research that crosses modern boundaries for gaining a better understanding of broad comparable dynamics.

Numerous metal hoards found in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia Plain, North Eastern Italy, are archaeologically dated to the Recent and Final Bronze Age. Here the results of an archaeometric study of the copper-alloy artefacts and ingots from two such hoards (Cervignano del Friuli and Muscoli, Udine) are presented. The mineralogical, metallographic and chemical analyses of the copper objects indicate that the metallurgical process employed copper derived almost exclusively from chalcopyrite (±sphalerite, galena) as ore charge. Distinct typologies of ingots (plano-convex and parallel-surfaces) are characterized by different degrees of metal refining. Tools and weapons are made of carefully refined and compositionally-controlled bronze alloys, containing specific proportions of tin. These observations point out a high level of technological knowledge in metallic copper extraction and use. The chemical and lead-isotope compositions of most analysed ingots and artefacts suggest exploitation of copper deposits from the Southeastern Alps, including deposits from the Valsugana area and other mining districts of the Trentino-Alto Adige region. One peculiar sample characterized by a significant Sb content suggests possible mixing with "local" fahlerz copper from Carnia and one other ingot, showing a highly radiogenic lead isotope composition may be interpreted as copper from southern Tuscany or as a mixed metal incorporating a small quantity of copper from northerly Alpine sources such as Mitterberg.

This chapter presents some preliminary data concerning two Mycenaean chamber tombs that have been object of stratigraphic investigations at the necropolis of Trapeza of Aigion (Achaea) since 2012. This funerary site is known in the literature on the basis of materials retrieved in 1930 and stored in the museum of Aigion, but it has never been precisely localized. The main aim of this analysis is to provide substantial information concerning the complex life-cycle of the tombs, starting with their construction in pure sand along the slope of the hill, followed by several phases of use and reuse implying at times a complete clearance, ending with their collapse. The chapter draws particular attention to both the stratigraphy of the funerary occupation and the topography, mode of disposal, and state of preservation of several findings, in order to understand as much as possible about primary and secondary funerary rites and other actions performed within the chambers and in the dromoi. Data related to the processes of decay and collapse of the tombs as well as to some evidence of later occupation of the area, after its funerary use, is also considered in order to obtain a deeper insight into the dynamics of formation and transformation of the long-lasting social landscape of the Trapeza area.