Work

Traces of additive manufacturing in early iron age anthropomorphic pendants

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Bronze pendants depicting anthropomorphic couples dating back to the 8th century BC were found in several Calabrian protohistoric sites. The historical-cultural context of the archaeological finds is associated with the Oenotrians, a population settled in Southern Italy before the Greek colonization. We present the results of the investigation on two bronze pendants dating back to the early Iron Age belonging to two different classes, namely “Type A” and “Type B”. By unveiling their manufacturing technology, we aim to inquire about the origin of these artifacts, their use, the relative historical period. To achieve our goals, we utilized two non-destructive techniques: X-ray microtomography (X-ray µCT) for 3D visualization of internal structures and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM-EDX) for chemical composition analysis of the bronze objects. We observe notable differences between the two artifacts, with “Type A” featuring well-defined anatomical details absent in “Type B.” 3D reconstruction revealed production techniques and alteration effects, including fractures and voids. We hypothesize that both pendants were cast in molds, but “Type A” underwent additional modeling, resulting in detailed anatomical features, a functional necklet hole, and added elements like knees and arms. In contrast, “Type B” displays smooth forms with minimal post-casting processing. SEM-EDX analysis revealed notable differences in composition: “Type A” contains a higher proportion of copper and lower tin content, while “Type B” has significantly more tin and less copper, with similar lead content.

Source: Journal of Cultural Heritage

DOI: 10.1016/j.culher.2025.07.025