The metal resources of the island of Elba have always been a relevant factor in the history of the surrounding communities, down to recent times. Copper outcrops, though present on the island, were too small to support a significant output, while the iron mines in eastern Elba were renowned for their plenty and continued to be worked until 1981, supplying the entire Tyrrhenian Sea area and beyond with iron. Control, exploitation, and trade of Elban iron influenced local set- tlements and the environment and, on a wider scale, the economy and international politics. Most archaeological evidence on the ancient mines was lost during modern exploitation. Chronological, technical, and quantitative information on iron production on Elba can no longer be retrieved by direct observation. It is therefore necessary to turn to indirect evidence. The appearance of Elban iron ore (when a reliable attribution is possible) in dated contexts yields chronological hints, together with the establishment of iron workshops at Populonia and the surrounding areas. A structured and continuous exploitation seems traceable only to the late seventh century, possibly in connection with foreign (Greek? Phoenician?) initiatives. The hypothesis of Populonian control of the mines from the beginning is sensible but lacks positive evidence, as does the suggestion of pan-Etruscan (mainly Caeretan) management. The "industrial building" at Populonia implies a continuous input ofElban ore from the sixth century. Sixth-fifth century materials on Elba indicate a shift of settlement toward the mining zone. After the Syracusan incursions in 453-452 a system of hilltop fortresses was established probably by Populonia to protect the mines and the related settle- ments. Romanization beginning in the early third century provoked a dramatic change in the area's iron industry. An impressive amount of smelting activity (which caused increased exploitation of the Elba mines, possibly using slaves) covered the shores of Elba and the mainland with slag heaps amounting on the island to more than 100,000 tons, dating from the late third to the first centuries. The location of the workshops aims at the fullest exploitation of wood resources. Diodorus Siculus gives a vivid picture of this intensive activity, which involved the whole Tyrrhenian area. By the first century, mining and smelting were greatly reduced and limited to local needs. On Elba, ironwork- ing sites gave way to luxurious villae. The memory of the glorious times survived in the works of geographers (Pliny the Elder) and poets (Rutilius Namatianius)

The mines on the island of Elba

Corretti, Alessandro
2017

Abstract

The metal resources of the island of Elba have always been a relevant factor in the history of the surrounding communities, down to recent times. Copper outcrops, though present on the island, were too small to support a significant output, while the iron mines in eastern Elba were renowned for their plenty and continued to be worked until 1981, supplying the entire Tyrrhenian Sea area and beyond with iron. Control, exploitation, and trade of Elban iron influenced local set- tlements and the environment and, on a wider scale, the economy and international politics. Most archaeological evidence on the ancient mines was lost during modern exploitation. Chronological, technical, and quantitative information on iron production on Elba can no longer be retrieved by direct observation. It is therefore necessary to turn to indirect evidence. The appearance of Elban iron ore (when a reliable attribution is possible) in dated contexts yields chronological hints, together with the establishment of iron workshops at Populonia and the surrounding areas. A structured and continuous exploitation seems traceable only to the late seventh century, possibly in connection with foreign (Greek? Phoenician?) initiatives. The hypothesis of Populonian control of the mines from the beginning is sensible but lacks positive evidence, as does the suggestion of pan-Etruscan (mainly Caeretan) management. The "industrial building" at Populonia implies a continuous input ofElban ore from the sixth century. Sixth-fifth century materials on Elba indicate a shift of settlement toward the mining zone. After the Syracusan incursions in 453-452 a system of hilltop fortresses was established probably by Populonia to protect the mines and the related settle- ments. Romanization beginning in the early third century provoked a dramatic change in the area's iron industry. An impressive amount of smelting activity (which caused increased exploitation of the Elba mines, possibly using slaves) covered the shores of Elba and the mainland with slag heaps amounting on the island to more than 100,000 tons, dating from the late third to the first centuries. The location of the workshops aims at the fullest exploitation of wood resources. Diodorus Siculus gives a vivid picture of this intensive activity, which involved the whole Tyrrhenian area. By the first century, mining and smelting were greatly reduced and limited to local needs. On Elba, ironwork- ing sites gave way to luxurious villae. The memory of the glorious times survived in the works of geographers (Pliny the Elder) and poets (Rutilius Namatianius)
2017
Settore L-ANT/06 - Etruscologia e Antichita' Italiche
Etruscology
Walter de Gruyter
Elba, copper, iron, mines, smelting
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11384/68764
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