%0 Journal Article
%T The Disc Phenomenon: A Technological Study of 50 Protohistoric Bronze Discs with Concentric Decoration, from the Abruzzo Region in Italy
%A Maria Laura Mascelloni
%J Advances in Historical Studies
%P 1-13
%@ 2327-0446
%D 2024
%I Scientific Research Publishing
%R 10.4236/ahs.2024.131001
%X Discs were made of bronze,
bronze/iron or iron, and for centuries, they were used by all the Italic protohistorical
cultures. Considered a single class of materials, for a long time, they were
misconstrued as a whole, as components of armour; on the contrary, contextual
discs with concentric decoration, where <span>gender
is recognizable, come from feminine burials. Research explores dy</span>namics
related to production, use and management of discs, alongside relations <span>between production centres, local workshops, and
technological change</span>s from bronze to iron and <i>vice versa</i>. All 50 discs are sporadic, but the 60% of them indicate
Fucino as provenience. This research proposes a diachronic analysis exploring
the hypothesis that discs with concentric decoration have both in<span>dependent origins and different functions from
either armour pectorals or</span> <span>figurative
samples. Discs with concentric decoration belong to a feminine</span> sphere
and, in order to process them in all these aspects, the dress code has been
investigated<span> through the study of decorations
and suspension systems. About </span><span>25% of
discs were repaired in the past. Therefore, particular attention was</span> <span>given to chemical compositions and technologies of
the various constituent </span><span>elements or
parts of reparation, in order to compare data both inside the</span> same disc
or among those showing similar interventions: 1) Methodology and discussion; 2)
Quantification of findings and data statistical treatment; 3) Techno<span>logical and traceological analysis, by stereo
Optical Microscope (80กม); 4)</span> Chemical characterization, by portable
ED-XRF.
%K Archaeometry
%K Archaeometallurgy
%K Bronzes
%K Discs
%K Italic Cultures
%K Iron Age
%K Protohistory
%K Fucino
%K Abruzzo
%U http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=131766