The role of ceramic analyses in shaping our understanding of the cultural landscapes of protohistoric Sicily and the Aeolian islands

Abstract

This paper reviews the materials primarily studied by the two authors in the attempt to reconstruct the BronzeAge cultural landscape of northern, central and eastern Sicily and the Aeolian islands from the perspective ofceramic production. In particular, we aim at tracing a diachronic reconstruction of the choices made by pottersand ancient communities in relation to the landscape resources present in Sicily and to the different waresproduced at each site. We pursue the question of natural resources beyond the traditional concept of “rawmaterials” by also considering some more overlooked resources in ceramic studies. In doing so, we intend to shedlight on the web of knowledge created by potters and on their role in shaping the cultural landscape of BronzeAge Sicily. This is a first step toward a more integrative study of ancient ceramic production and natural resources for Bronze Age Sicily.