Shaft‐hole Axes From Slovenia and North‐western Croatia: A First Archaeometric Study on Artefacts Manufactured From Meta‐dolerites*

Abstract

A group of Copper Age shaft‐hole axes from Caput Adriae (northeastern Italy, western Slovenia and northwestern Croatia) manufactured using meta‐dolerite have been analysed for major and trace elements. All the samples show magmatic textures and well recognizable relicts of primary mineralogical phases. Petrographic observations suggest an ophiolitic provenance of the protolithic source(s) while geochemical data indicate that the original magmas originated in a fore arc or pre arc tectonic setting. Strong similarity has been found with several lithotypes from the Banija Ophiolite Complex (Croatia), here indicated as the most probable source area. Considering the available archaeometric data about shaft‐hole axes found in northern Italy and Caput Adriae in comparison to those of axe blades discovered in the same area, it emerges that there is a utilization of different rock types, the source of which appears to be quite close to the discovery sites. In the investigated area the shaft‐hole axes are largely made from ophiolitic‐related rocks which are associated with copper deposits. Consequently there may have been a relation between the localization of the geological sources of shaft‐hole axes and the development of metallurgical activities.

Shaft‐hole Axes From Caput Adriae: Mineralogical and Chemical Constraints About the Provenance of Serpentinitic Artefacts*

“…Provenance from the Hohe Tauern agrees with the results of previous studies, which linked the change in raw materials to produce stone axes during the Neolithic to Copper Age transition to the development of early European metallurgy (Bernardini et al. 2009b).…”

“… A map showing the primary (Hohe Tauern) and secondary (Drava secondary deposits) exploitation areas of serpentinite raw material and the known manufacturing sites, where cores from piercing operations have been discovered, in relation to the distribution of studied shaft‐hole axes. White arrows, directions of natural transport of serpentinite pebbles; grey cylinders, manufacturing sites of serpentinite shaft‐hole axes (A, Kanzianiberg; B, northeastern Slovenia manufacturing sites); black arrows, main directions of circulation of serpentinite shaft‐hole axes; grey arrow, main direction of circulation of meta‐dolerite shaft‐hole axes ( Bernardini et al. 2009b ); white star, the Ljubljansko barje Cu metallurgical sites.…”

“…Serpentinite shaft‐hole axes are widespread in Caput Adriae (see Figs 1 and 2); all artefacts are listed in Table 1. According to Bernardini et al. (2009b), their presence quickly diminishes going from Friuli and central Slovenia to the Istrian peninsula.…”

“…They are made of serpentinite (in most cases), meta‐ultramafite and meta‐dolerite (D'Amico et al. 2001; Bernardini et al. 2008, 2009b).…”

“…2000). Bernardini et al. (2008, 2009b) suggested a link between change of raw material procurement strategies and development of copper metallurgy.…”