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  • Prato della Chiesa
  • Prato della Chiesa
  •  
  • Italy
  • Lombardy
  • Province of Brescia
  • Zone

Credits

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Monuments

Periods

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Chronology

  • 1800 BC - 1700 BC

Season

    • In August 2005 excavation continued of a rock shelter where remains of burials in “a grotticella” rock-cut tombs dating to the Early Bronze Age were found. The layers relating to the latest occupation of the area were completely removed in order to check the form of a dry-stone structure placed in the middle of the E-W section. The layers removed to the east and west of the stones revealed an alignment of stones (circa 1.50m long) which abutted a large rock, partially uncovered, and placed cross-wise to the structure. This is a residual situation as most of the structure was situated in zone that was removed by the work preceding the find. Below this an occupation level was uncovered containing an abundance of carbonized remains which are thought to be in phase with the structure. Other layers contained very little evidence of occupation, producing fragments of roughly made pottery datable to the Early Bronze Age. In the area of the burials, adjacent to that investigated previously, a structure was brought to light by the removal of several layers of silt and small pieces of sandstone. A few lenses of ash mixed within the layers were identified, a sign of the use of hearths at different moments in time probably relating to ritual activities on the site. The removal of these layers revealed a series of large stones placed in such a way as to create a boundary for the burials. An important element regarding the material culture is the find of a bronze-wire earring near a tomb which, given the typological similarity to the bracelet found in the tomb, may have been part of the same tomb group. (Paolo Corti)

Bibliography

    • J. Lorenzi, P. Corti, Ballabio (LC), località Prato della Chiesa. Sepolture dell’età del Bronzo, in NOTIZIARIO 2003-2004, Soprintendenza per i Beni Archeologici della Lombardia: 27-28.
    • J. Lorenzi, P. Corti, 2005, Ballabio (LC). Località Prato della Chiesa. Struttura dell’antica età del Bronzo, in NOTIZIARIO 2005, Soprintendenza per i Beni Archeologici della Lombardia: 117-118.