Hunting and farming in prehistoric Italy: changing perspectives on landscape and society

Barker, Graeme

doi:10.1017/s0068246200004517

Cited by 9 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 40 publications

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Section: The Bronze Agementioning

confidence: 87%

“…The social and political transformations of the Bronze Age were clearly accompanied by an increase in archaeological sites and population (Barker, 1999;Barker & Stoddart, 1994), which has been corroborated by the available radiocarbon evidence (Palmisano et al, 2017). Settlement patterns for the Early and Middle Bronze Age of central Italy show occupation of both upland and lowland areas as part of a mixed economy (Barker, 1981b(Barker, , 1999(Barker, , 2005. The Recent Bronze Age in Italy corresponds to a period of profound social and political change, and it has been argued that it is under-represented in the archaeological record, especially through surface survey (Barker & Stoddart, 1994).…”

Section: The Bronze Agementioning

confidence: 99%

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Radiocarbon Dated Trends and Central Mediterranean Prehistory

et al. 2021

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This paper reviews the evidence for long term trends in anthropogenic activity and population dynamics across the Holocene in the central Mediterranean and the chronology of cultural events. The evidence for this has been constituted in a database of 4608 radiocarbon dates (of which 4515 were retained for analysis following initial screening) from 1195 archaeological sites in southern France, Italy and Malta, spanning the Mesolithic to Early Iron Age periods, c. 8000 to 500 BC. We provide an overview of the settlement record for central Mediterranean prehistory and add to this an assessment of the available archaeological radiocarbon evidence in order to review the traditional narratives on the prehistory of the region. This new chronology has enabled us to identify the most significant points in time where activity levels, population dynamics and cultural change have together caused strong temporal patterning in the archaeological record. Some of these episodes were localized to one region, whereas others were part of pan-regional trends and cultural trajectories that took many centuries to play out fully, revealing prehistoric societies subject to collapse, recovery, and continuing instability over the long-term. Using the radiocarbon evidence, we model growth rates in the various regions so that the tempo of change at certain points in space and time can be identified, compared, and discussed in the context of demographic change. Using other published databases of radiocarbon data, we have drawn comparisons across the central Mediterranean to wider prehistoric Europe, and northern Africa. Finally, we include a brief response to the synchronously published but independently developed paper (Palmisano et al. in J World Prehist 34(3), 2021). While there are differences in our respective approaches, we share the general conclusions that large-scale trends can been identified through meta-analyses of the archaeological record, and these offer new perspectives on how society functioned.

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Section: The Bronze Agementioning

confidence: 87%

Section: The Bronze Agementioning

confidence: 99%

Radiocarbon Dated Trends and Central Mediterranean Prehistory

et al. 2021

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“…The increasing number of Late Neolithic upland sites in other Alpine regions and in mountain areas is equally interpreted as an evidence of the spread of transhumant strategies in prehistoric Europe (Rendu, 2003;Curdy, 2007;Carrer, 2013;Orengo et al, 2014). It is worth pointing out, though, that hunting remained an important strategy up to the Bronze Age (Barker, 1999;Steiner, 2005), as suggested also by faunal assemblages (Pedrotti, 2004). Unfortunately, it is often very difficult to discriminate upland hunting sites from pastoral ones.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prehistoric landscapes of the Dolomites: Survey data from the highland territory of Cadore (Belluno Dolomites, Northern Italy)

Visentin

Carrer

Fontana

et al. 2016

Quaternary International

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“…This increased diversification of subsistence activities was probably linked to a seasonal occupation of the sites in response to resource availability. Nonetheless, there are also indicators of increased sedentism, especially during the Late Mesolithic, probably as a consequence of the rising emphasis placed on fishing and shellfish collection (Barker, 1999). An interesting case in this respect is the site of Grotta dell'Uzzo, in Sicily.…”

Section: 2b Mesolithic (8000 To 5000 Bc)mentioning

confidence: 99%

The Origins and Evolution of Pig Domestication in Italy: A regional and diachronic study of husbandry practices

Tecce¹

2020

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The emergence of the Neolithic in Europe represents a key moment in human history, and the domestication of the wild boar (Sus scrofa) and the emergence of the pig (Sus domesticus) a fundamental aspect of that process. In Italy, the phenomenon of pig domestication in prehistory is still not entirely understood. The main objective of this PhD is to contribute to the understanding of the origins and development of pig domestication in prehistoric Italy, from a wide regional scale and a diachronic perspective. Some key archaeological questions addressed in this research concern how and when the process of pig domestication commenced in Italy, how it evolved thereafter, and how it compares and integrates with the wider European and Middle Eastern scenarios.The main methodology used to tackle this objective is the collection of comparable data from several Italian prehistoric sites in order to detect patterns of regional and chronological change, from the Upper Palaeolithic to the Bronze Age. The analysis relies mainly on biometrical data, but it is complemented with evidence of kill-off patterns and sex ratios, in order to achieve a comprehensive understanding of the domestication event.The results support the view that a domesticated pig occurred in Italy from the Early Neolithic, although it only became morphologically distinct from the Late Neolithic onwards. This change in pig size and shape seems to signify a shift from an earlier loose management strategy of pig keeping to a close domestic control of pigs in later times, articulating with historical changes in Italian societies. The Italian pig domestication process shares similarities and differences with other European and Middle Eastern cases, highlighting the diverse trajectories this process took in different areas, in tune with the regional particularities of the spread of the Neolithic in Europe.preferred to those who think they've found it.Terry Pratchett -Monstrous Regiment This PhD would not have been achieved without the kind support and assistance of several people, both in Italy and the United Kingdom. This PhD was made possible by the funding of the University of Sheffield's University Prize Scholarship, which was awarded to me at the beginning of this journey. My academic experience in Sheffield has always been first class, with both staff and fellow students being always friendly and helpful, and I am very proud to be counted amongst their alumni.First and foremost, I owe a great debt of gratitude to my supervisor and good friend, Umberto Albarella, who has offered me immense help and support all throughout my PhD, demonstrating a great deal of patience and understanding not only on the academic but also on the personal side of the work. He also very kindly made available his extensive pig datasets for inclusion in this project. Many thanks also to my second supervisor, Gianna Ayala, who was also of great help and assistance.In my first data collection trip to Rome, I was warmly welcomed by Maurizio Moscoloni and by Claudia Minitti. My deepest t...

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Hunting and farming in prehistoric Italy: changing perspectives on landscape and society

Cited by 9 publications

References 40 publications

Radiocarbon Dated Trends and Central Mediterranean Prehistory

Radiocarbon Dated Trends and Central Mediterranean Prehistory

Prehistoric landscapes of the Dolomites: Survey data from the highland territory of Cadore (Belluno Dolomites, Northern Italy)

The Origins and Evolution of Pig Domestication in Italy: A regional and diachronic study of husbandry practices

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