REPORTS 1

Q Fig. 1 The archaeological park of the Forcello Bagnolo San Vito (Mantova) From archeological evidence to experimental reconstruction and back The experience of the Archaeological Park of Forcello of Bagnolo San Vito (Mantova, )*

Q Roberto DERIU ture, particularly the so called area and equipping it with re-  Claudia FREDELLA “Etruscan-Padan” pottery, but ceptive buildings. (IT) above all from inscriptions in the Etruscan alphabet on the Th e aim of the project, carried Th e project of the Archaeo- vases (Fig. 2). out also with the contribution logical Park at the Forcello of of Region and Eu- Bagnolo San Vito (Mantova) Th e excavations, from 1981 ropean Union, was to give the (Fig. 1) stemmed from the to date, directed by profes- discoveries made at Forcello Q Fig. 4 Didactic reconstructi- need to safeguard and exploit to sor de Marinis, have brought the wealth and importance that on of an Etruscan house (R. Ra- its best an archaeological area, to light, year aft er year, just a they already have in the scien- chini) where for 25 years, the excava- small portion of this settle- tifi c fi eld and to give it a useful tion of an important Etruscan ment, but with a long strati- way of being popularised and city has been in progress. From graphic sequence, defi ned in put it to good didactic service. its beginning it involved on one eight main phases. Th e city, hand the academic world (Uni- founded around the middle Th e distinctive features of versità degli Studi di Milano) of the 6th century, lasted until the area and the presence of and on the other hand experi- the beginning of the 4th cen- a complex archaeological de- mental archaeologists, above tury BC (Casini, de Marinis posit suggested buildings on all Roberto Deriu, who con- 2005: 46-53). superfi cial foundations and structed two pottery kilns. suspended above the ground. To preserve at least a part of Th is feature will also allow the Before explaining the results the settlement from insistent buildings to be moved in fu- of this collaboration, a short and destructive agricultural ture if necessary. introduction to the Archaeo- work and in order to divulge logical Park will follow. the scientifi c results obtained Th e structures, of wood and from the research, the Bag- steel, have natural colours, that Th e discovery of the Etrus- nolo Council purchased 8000 place them in continuity with can site goes back to the sixties square meters of the archaeo- the landscape, and their orien- and seventies of the 20th cen- logical area, including the 600 tation refl ects the one that the Q Fig. 5 Laboratory activity on tury, when, from the fi rst sur- square meters where the exca- Etruscan settlement had, all food production (for schools) veys, the relevance of the site vations are being carried out the buildings are situated along W Fig. 2 Experimental pot with was confi rmed by prof. Raff aele by the Università degli Studi a longitudinal axis NW-SE. inscription in Etruscan alpha- C. de Marinis who recognised di Milano. So the Council, bet Forcello as the fi rst Etruscan with the collaboration of the Th e architecture of thee main settlement discovered north of Chair of Pre and Protohisto- buildings is thought to evokeevoke the Po River (de Marinis 1983). ry of the University of , the construction techniquenique had defi ned a project, signed founded in the Etruscancan Th e identifi cation came from by architect Stefano Gorni city (blockbau and wat-t- analysis of the material cul- Silvestrini, for enhancing the tle-and-daub) (Fig. 4).

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Q Fig. 3 Excavation of the Etruscan site of the Forcello Q Fig. 6 Vertical white fir loom created on the basis of archaeo- logical data by Tania Lorandi (2006)

A rich didactic display in the plore by themselves specifi c guide to a better understand- based on the evidence from park is required because For- topics, watch videos or car- ing of the ancient world. the contemporary Marzabotto cello houses were built using toons or using the web-based (Bologna), where in 1992-93 perishable materials (such as training to verify by playing Tania Lorandi constructed a an excavation was carried out wood, straw and clay) and with the information learned vertical white fi r loom, created by the University of Bologna the remains of these dwell- during the visit (Fig. 18). on the basis of archaeological (Fig. 7). Th e kilns are used ings could therefore hardly be proof (Fig. 6). In a room of a for experimental research on “read” and interpreted by the Experimental archaeology big house (phase F 510-500 BC Etruscan-Padan type pottery, general public, as only traces re presents a good practice – Casini, Longhi, Rapi 2005: and the fi rst results are ex- of the foundations (e.g. post- to join research and popu- 95), where carbonised wood pound in Deriu’s specialisa- holes, small gullies) are still larisation. At Forcello, in was found, probably part of tion thesis, discussed at Milan preserved. particular, where the exca- a loom, some iron nails and University under the supervi- vations in the settlement are many clay loom weights. Th is sion of prof. de Marinis (see A visit to the Forcello Archae- still in progress, the experi- artefact is used in the work- also EuroREA/6 – Deriu 2009: ological Park is guided by di- mental research goes side by shop “Yarns from the past” 39-44). In 2007 the didactic dactic panels, with the aid of side with the academic one, where adults and children can operators attended a specif- which visitors can approach enriching, confirming or de- try threading and weaving. ic course on furnaces to help the history of Padan Etruria bating the hypotheses which them organise demonstra- and, in particular, of the For- come out of the excavation Another handcraft s activity tions for public. Th e demon- cello settlement. records. well represented at Forcello, strations are oft en made in from the huge amount of lo- collaboration with Archeolo- For schools, of every class and Designing the Park, the fi rst cal-made ware, is pottery pro- gia del Gusto (Taste Archaeol- level, there are laboratory ac- idea was to construct a house, duction. ogy), a research group which tivities on various themes of but the economic aspect and prepares Etruscan meals, with craft smanship at the time of the problems concerning the aim of placing the ancient the Etruscans like weaving and the underlying archaeologi- Pottery production object in their original habi- moulding clay, or food pro- cal de posit made it prefera- In collaboration with Gesti tat and creating evocative sur- duction and on the profession ble to concentrate eff orts on Ritrovati, Roberto Deriu con- roundings that involves the of an archaeologist (Fig. 5). reconstructing craft sman- structed two pottery kilns. Th e public. ship activities, that can cre- excavations in the site has not Th ere is also a multimedia ate awareness in the public yet located a specifi c furnaces Research and popularisation, hall, where the visitors can ex- of archaeological topics and a area so the reconstruction is missions of the Park, found

Q Fig. 7 View of the Etruscan Q Fig. 9 A fragment of kiln daub, Q Fig. 11 Clay preparation for Q Fig. 14 Pot being removed kilns discovered in Marzabotto very important for comparison shaping and decorating vases during ‘hot’ opening of the big (Bologna) in 1992/93 with archaeological evidence kiln (6th firing test, July 2009)

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Q Fig. 8 Reconstruction of pottery firing activity (3rd firing test – Q Fig. 17 Preparation of the clay March 2008) in experimental archaeology long lasting life of this kind of of Experimental Archaeology. craft smen: the clays (Fig. 11) an important tool, that on one artefacts depends on the con- While the archaeological evi- selected for shaping and dec- hand enriched research with sistency that the clay reach- dence is fi rst, this important orating vases, have a miner- new experimental data and on es aft er the fi ring process. So, tool can also lead to knowl- al ferrous component typical the other involved the general even if indirectly, it is the fi r- edge. of the Padan plain, the kilns public, making it aware of the ing process that has allowed have been built on the plans of aim and the results of the re- the interpretation of this cul- Th e research carried out in originals found in the contem- search itself (Fig. 3). tural context. Forcello Archaeological Park, porary Padan-Etruscan site of started with the construction Marzabotto. Th e importance given at For- and testing of two experimen- cello Archaeological Park to Experiments tal kilns, that concentrated Th e use of diff erent fi ring the reconstruction of pot- Considering this matter, the on clarifying the production techniques (oxidizing and re- tery fi ring activity (Fig. 8), is eminence of pottery in the techniques of the Etruscan- ducing) has shown a good based not only on the tech- archaeological record comes Padan pottery, which is a fun- conformity in the colour nology aspects, like clarifying from the leading role of fi r- damental production in Etrus- range between the replicas gaps in the production cycle ing pottery in ancient society. can society connected with and the original Etruscan vas- (Deriu 2008: 7-15), but also To experimentally reconstruct food preparation, daily con- es (Fig. 12). on the cultural recovery, with the fi ring activity is the most sumption and storage. To date the aim of re-discovering the logical way to represent, both 8 experimental fi ring events Also accidental errors, docu- human factor in the produc- physically and anthropologi- have taken place, 2 with the mented during the experi- tion of pottery for every day cally, the connection between purpose of consolidating the mental process, aided the defi - use, like eating and drinking, the ancient production activi- kilns, 4 for fi ne-ware produc- nition of fi ring techniques and cooking and conserving food. ties and modern archaeologi- tion in the small kiln (Fig. 10), detected how the vases were Today, 2500 years later, it is cal research. If we trace again and 2 for fi ring cooking and stacked in the fi ring chamber, still possible to relive this with the fi ring strategy it would be food containers in the bigger which is an action without di- experimental archaeology. possible to clarify the human kiln (Fig. 16). rect archaeological evidence behaviour that lies beneath (Deriu 2008). Th e wide diff usion of pottery the objects creation, and the Th e working process, used in in the ancient inhabited con- following functional control, constructing this ancient con- Concerning stacking, the ex- text is strictly connected with made by using the artifact, can text, has utilised resources and perimentation has confi rmed its unique role in fulfi lling dai- clarify the process that starts technologies comparable with the necessity use of stilts for ly needs. with its creation to its use and the ones used byy the Etruscan degradation. Th is last phase is Research in Forcello clear- particularly meaningful be- ly shows the pottery role as a cause it may allow interesting preferential indicator in the comparisons with the archae- archaeological context. In this ological evidence, helping the site, for example, the inscrip- understanding of the post- tions on local produced pot- depositional process (Fig. 9). tery (de Marinis 2005: 57-76) allowed the identifi cation of To recognise the human fac- the settlement as Etruscan. tor, hidden beneath the man- Th e imported Attic pottery, ufacture and use of the object, on the other hand, dated the represents, however, the real archaeological phases (de cultural heritage to research Q Fig. 12 Original Etruscan vases found during excavation of the Marinis 2005: 125-138). Th e and preserve, is the fi nal aim Etruscan site of the Forcello (Mantova) (from de Marinis - Rapi 2005)

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the ware (Fig. 13): clay sup- delicate step in which the pub- by typo-technological analy- ports that can improve the hot lic can be involved. Th e objects sis of the local pottery, are 4: gas passage in the fi ring cham- are immersed and washed in fi nding and preparation of ber (Deriu, Zamboni 2008: water to verify the success of the clay, moulding, decora- 178-179; see also Deriu 2009 the fi ring process that trans- tion, fi ring. in EuroREA/6: 42). forms the fragile clay to solid ware. Th is washing test is also Looking at the skill subdivi- In relation to fi ring techniques, useful to increase the cooling sion in contemporary Greek the relevance of the “hot” process and to clean the vases productions, which is better opening of the kiln was made from residual ashes. Th e next studied, it is possible to imag- evident, used also in the last step is to use them with drink ine the presence of at least one public experimental demon- or food. Th e last fi ring event at specialist and one or more ap- stration at Forcello (Fig. 14). Forcello was completed with prentices for each production Q Fig. 10 A firing experiences Th is use, distinguished by ex- wine and mead tasting in the phase, but this model is liable during “Museum by night” at tracting the artifacts before drinking vessels just taken out to many variations depending Forcello (July 2007) the complete cooling of the of the kiln. on the peculiarity of each atel- structure, sets out to prove the ier. For example, the extractive continuity between one fi r- Some of these artefacts will be activity and the preparation of ing event and the following, used in future experimental the raw material could also be and can be meaningful of the events to test the duration of done by part of the group of modus operandi, typical of the object in relation to their manufactures. Th e manufac- specialised ateliers. usage. turing phase is the best known from the scenes depicted on Th is kind of extraction, which Attic pottery, where we can is done in any case at lower Work team see the specialists and the ap- Q Fig. 13 Use of stilts in the small temperature to avoid danger- Th e tests carried on at Forcel- prentices. Concerning deco- kiln (5th firing test, May 2009) ous thermal shock that can lo, compared to other works ration, in the Forcello site the damage the pottery and the in diff erent specialised ateliers use of slip is attested (Deriu kiln itself, needs more expe- (Deriu 2008), have allowed 2009: 40-41), partially water- rience in the craft sman, com- some considerations on the proofi ng the pottery used for pared to “cold” opening (Deriu human component involved eating or drinking. Consid- 2008: 84-115). Th is experience in the artisan manufacture, al- ering the complexity of the I acquired through former fi r- ready highly specialised con- preparation of this kind of slip ing experiments done on simi- sidering the archaeological (Deriu 2009: 40-41) it is easy lar kilns. Th is specialisation re- evidence (Casini 2005: 247) to suppose that the decora- fl ects a high professional level (Fig. 15). tor/painter fi gure was sepa- shown by the complexity of rate from the manufacturer, as the structure and the techni- Data on demographic den- witnessed in the Greek world, cal details revealed archaeo- sity and the use frequency and had one or more appren- logically and experimentally in of the furnaces in the origi- tices himself. the two kilns (Deriu 2008: 116- nal contexts are unknown, Q Fig. 15 Precedent and similar 140). Th e protocol of the kilns but aspects like the work or- Th e last production phase, the firing experiences: October 2007, use should correspond to op- ganisation and subdivision, fi ring one, remains the most 19 firing test on a celtic kiln (II timised human and economic can however be recovered controversial, and at the same sec.a. C.). This kiln was built in resources (Deriu 2008: 568). through experimentation by time the most critical for the Faenza (Ra) in November 2004 Th e “hot” opening is based on defi ning the “minimum work fi nal characteristics, consist- and used for 21 firing tests the hypothesis that the fi ring team”, that is the basic équipe ency and colour, of the arti- events were closer and consec- needed to carry out a specifi c fact. utive, in order to use the heat production. Th e fi rst step is still preserved in the kiln for to identify the diff erent pro- It is the least studied in re- making the next fi ring process duction phases. In the Forcel- gard both to the kiln building pre-heating phase faster, sav- lo case this phases, sorted out and use, and to the fi re con- ing also a certain amount of wood. Another advantage for “hot” opening is to better in- Composition of ‘Minimum work team’ volve the public in the entire production cycle, because this Extractive activity and preparation of the raw material: use allows to operate for two Roberto Deriu[1], Gino Geminiani[2] consecutive days, and is more Manifacturing: Gino Geminiani involving than opening when Decoration: Roberto Deriu the furnace cooling has ended. Kilns construction: Roberto Deriu, Carlo Piancastelli[3] Direction of fi ring actions: Roberto Deriu Aft er extraction a function- Assistance during fi ring actions: Alberto Rossi[4], Chiara [5] [6] Q Fig. 16 The big kiln opened al check of the artefacts takes Gradella , Manuela Amadasi after a firing test (April 2008) place. Th is is a particularly

4444 euroREA 7/2010 The experience of the Archaeological park of the Forcello of Bagnolo San Vito REPORTS 1 trol techniques (Deriu 2008: (Università degli studi di Milano, zugänglich zu machen. Die 7-15). Th is gap is due to the relatore: prof. R. C. de Marinis). Experimentelle Archäologie, progressive disappearance of Deriu R. 2009: From bucchero vor allem die Rekonstruktion fi ring methods with solid fuel, to grey ware in the Po valley: von zwei Töpferöfen, ist dabei replaced since the last century experimenting with the importance von wesentlicher Bedeutung für of fi ring, EuroREA (6) 2009, pp. die Ansprache einer größeren by gas or electric furnaces. In 39-44. Öff entlichkeit. kilns with solid fuel, the pres- ence of the fi reman is essential De la preuve archéologique à la during all the fi ring process, Summary reconstitution expérimentale, et and this kind of kilns needs Vom archäologischen Befund retour one or more operators to über die experimentelle Ce article présente les résultats guarantee their correct use. It Rekonstruktion und zurück des activités archéologiques et is also worth considering that Das Ziel dieses Artikels ist es, pédagogiques du parc de Forcello, vertical kilns need specialised die Ergebnisse archäologischer près de Bagnolo San Vito (Province manpower to be construct- und pädagogischer Aktivitäten de Mantoue, Italie) depuis son ed, repaired and used (Deriu des Archäologischen Parks von ouverture en 2006. La décision de 2008: 37-52). Forcello bei Bagnolo San Vito création de cet équipement reposait (, Italien) vorzustellen, sur la volonté de préserver le site die dort seit seiner Eröff nung im tout en rendant accessible au public Bibliography Jahre 2006 durchgeführt wurden. une exceptionnelle cité frontalière Casini S. 2005: La ceramica di Die Pläne, einen Archäologischen étrusque fouillée depuis 25 ans. produzione locale: impasto, Park in Forcello zu errichten, Dès ses débuts, ce projet a été mené bucchero, etrusco-padana, pp.247- wurden entwickelt, um eine seit en partenariat avec les institutions 266, in L’abitato etrusco del Forcello 25 Jahren untersuchte etruskische académiques de l’université di Bagnolo S. Vito (Mantova), Grenzstadt dauerhaft zu sichern de Milan, des spécialistes du Le fasi di età arcaica. Volume a und für die Öff entlichkeit patrimoine et des archéologues cura di Raff aele C. de Marinis e zugänglich zu machen. Von Beginn spécialistes de l’expérimentation. Marta Rapi, Università degli Studi an wurde dieses Projekt getragen Les fouilles, menées depuis 1981 di Milano - di Bagnolo durch die Zusammenarbeit von sous la direction du professeur de S. Vito, catalogo della mostra, Wissenschaft lern der Universität Marinis (Università degli Studi di Mantova 2005. Mailand, von Fachleuten aus Milano), n’ont pour l’instant permis de Marinis R.C. 1983: Mantova, der Denkmalpfl ege und von d’apporter des éclairages que sur Virgilio, Bagnolo S.Vito. Experimentalarchäologen. Die une infi me partie de cet immense Ricerche di superfi cie, Not. Sopr. Ausgrabungen, die seit 1981 unter site. Cependant, les résultats Arch. Lomb. 1982, II, Milano 1983, der Leitung von Prof. de Marinis donnent déjà une très bonne pp. 40-42. (Università degli Studi di Milano) représentation de la stratigraphie de Marinis R.C., Rapi M. (eds.) durchgeführt werden, haben du site qui comprend huit phases 2005: L’abitato etrusco del Forcello bisher nur einen kleinen Teil de développement du VIe au IVe di Bagnolo S. Vito (Mantova), dieser großen Siedlung freilegen siècles avant J.-C. La richesse et Le fasi di età arcaica. Università können. Trotzdem dürft en die l’importance des découvertes degli Studi di Milano - Comune Ergebnisse repräsentativ für repose sur de nombreuses di Bagnolo S. Vito, catalogo della die gesamte stratigraphische habitations incendiées, des mostra, Mantova 2005. Sequenz sein, die insgesamt acht poteries grecques et des amphores Deriu R., Zamboni 2008: Aspetti Siedlungsphasen aufweist, welche d’importation. Leur intérêt justifi ait tecnologici, in L. Malnati, D. Neri vom 6. bis in das 4. Jh. v. Chr. entièrement une ouverture au (a cura di), Gli scavi di Castelfranco datieren. Die Besonderheiten grand public. Emilia presso il Forte Urbano. Un sowie die Bedeutung der L’archéologie expérimentale et plus abitato etrusco alla vigilia delle Entdeckungen werden durch particulièrement la reconstitution invasioni celtiche, Quaderni di große, niedergebrannte de deux fours de potier a prouvé Archeologia dell’Emilia Romagna, Hausbefunde, griechische toute sa valeur dans l’élargissement 21, pp. 173-181. Keramik und importierte des public. Deriu R. 2008: Impianti per la Amphoren gekennzeichnet. cottura della ceramica nell’età Diese Befunde und Funde del Ferro: verifi ca sperimentale lassen den Siedlungsplatz von Q Fig. 18 Some slide from the del dato archeologico, Tesi di Forcello besonders geeignet * Th is article was translated by cartoon and the game (web diploma in Preistoria e Protostoria erscheinen, um ihn öff entlich Lara Comis and Matteo Pilati based training)

1 Roberto Deriu: specialisation Degree in Prehistory and Protohistory at the University of Milan; Master of Art at the Art Institute for Ceramics in Faenza (pottery decoration); sculptor; pre-experimental and experimental continuative experience (2003 – 2008) in costruction and use of pottery kilns construction with solid fuel (17 diff erent kinds of kilns / 46 fi ring tests). 2 Gino Geminiani: Master of Art at the Art Institute for Ceramics in Faenza (manufacturer) (formative experience by Gesti Ritrovati). 3 Carlo Piancastelli: ceramic chemist; Master of Art at the Art Institute for Ceramics in Faenza (pottery technology); sculptor; experimental experience in costruction and use of pottery kilns construction with solid fuel (formative experience by Gesti Ritrovati). 4 Alberto Rossi: fi nal year student in Conservation of Cultural Heritage; experimental experience in costruction and use of pottery kilns construction with solid fuel (formative experience by Gesti Ritrovati). 5 Chiara Gradella: archeologist and didactic operator at Forcello Archeological Park; Formative stage (2007) about Etruscan-Padan kilns (formative experience by Gesti Ritrovati). 6 Manuela Amadasi: archeologist and didactic operator at Forcello Archeological Park; Formative stage (2007) about Etruscan-Padan kilns (formative experience by Gesti Ritrovati).

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