Scientific Coordinator: Claudio Cavazzuti
Period: May 18–22, 2026
Attendance: In-person sessions and individual work from home
Location: Santa Maria Villiana (Bologna)
Number of participants: 8
Email: claudio.cavazzuti3@unibo.it
Aims
The workshop aims to introduce students to experimental archaeology and to explore the potential of this approach for gaining deeper insights into prehistoric and protohistoric technologies—particularly ceramics, stone tool production, and metallurgy—as well as aspects of territorial organization, resource management, and mobility.
Program
The workshop includes a 2-hour introductory lecture followed by four days of practical activities at the Bronze Age site of Monte della Croce–Santa Maria Villiana (Bologna). Students will take part firsthand in various stages of the operational sequence related to protohistoric technologies and in documenting fieldwork activities. In addition, students will complete 10 hours of individual work off-site, consisting of a written report on the activities carried out during the workshop.
Readings suggestions
Barbieri M. et al. 2021, Spilloni del Bronzo Medio e Recente in Pianura Padana centrale e nelle aree limitrofe: aspetti tecnologici, del costume e della circolazione, OCNUS 29: 9-40.
Barbieri M. , Cavazzuti C. , Pellegrini L., Scacchetti F. 2015, Experiencing Visible and Invisible Metal Casting Techniques in Bronze Age Italy, ExarcOnline Journal, https://exarc.net/issue-2015-3/ea/experiencing-visible-and-invisible-metal-casting-techniques-bronze-age-italy
Morton Coles J. 1979, Experimental archaeology, London: Academic Press
La Torre A., Mannino G. , Zurzolo A. 2019, Fine Pottery Chaîne Opératoire from the Bronze Age site of Via Ordiere, Solarolo (RA, IT): Experiments on the Relationship between Surface Treatments and Function, Exarc Online Journal, https://exarc.net/issue-2020-1/ea/fine-pottery-chaine-operatoire
Mathieu J. R. (ed) 2002, Experimental archaeology, replicating past objects, behaviors and processes, BAR International Series 1035, Oxford
Paardekoper R., Reeves J. 2014, Experiments past. Histories of Experimental Archaeology, Sidestone Press.
