The transition between the Copper and Bronze Ages in Southern Italy and Sicily

The date of 2200 BCE corresponds conventionally in Italy and Sicily to the transition between the Copper and the Bronze Ages. The discussion will proceed by considering three major geographic sub-areas – South-western Italy, corresponding to Campania and Calabria, South-eastern Italy, corresponding to Apulia and Basilicata, and Sicily – and a subdivision into four main chronological phases. The first one, corresponding to an earlier stage of the Late Copper Age (LCA) dated roughly from 2800/2750 to 2600/2550 BCE, sees the diffusion of the culture groups of Laterza in Southern Italy and Malpasso in Sicily (the last one, probably with an earlier origin, is sometimes associated with the s.c. Sant’Ippolito painted style). The second phase, corresponding to an advanced stage of LCA, is expected to start around 2600/2550 and ends at a time not very well established dating around 2350/2300 BCE. During this period can be envisaged processes of local evolution and change of the previous traditions, together with a limited diffusion of the ‘international’ culture group of the Bell Beaker (quite common only in Western Sicily). The third phase, corresponding to a final stage of LCA, spans from 2350/2300 BCE to 2150/2100. This is a phase of transition, during which we see a disappearance or a marked weakening of older traditions (Laterza and Malpasso), and the diffusion of new culture groups and ceramic styles. In Southern Italy spread Cetina-related cultural aspects of trans-adriatic origin, and in Sicily, besides some artifact relating to a late Beaker tradition and a very limited presence of Cetina-related pottery (sometimes called ‘Thermi Ware’), appear painted potteries of the s.c. Naro-Partanna style, in some way related to the subsequent Castelluccio culture group. The fourth phase corresponds to the Early Bronze Age (EBA), beginning around 2150/2100 and ending approximately around 1650 BCE. This period is characterized by regional long-lasting archaeological facies like Palma Campania in Campania (evolving in the Protoapennine culture group in a late moment of EBA), Cessaniti in Calabria, Capo Graziano 1 in the Aeolian islands and Castelluccio in Sicily (that coexists with the Rodì-Tindari-Vallelunga culture group). Phenomena of depopulation and cultural discontinuity are attested in peninsular Italy, and mainly correspond to the earliest phase of transition from LCA to EBA, dating during late 22th and early 21st centuries BCE.