The first phase of underwater excavations in Italy's Lake Metzano (Lazio) has been completed. During these excavations, archaeologists documented a unique Bronze Age settlement that contained artifacts hidden underwater. The ancient site dates back to BC. Between 1700 and 1150. The results of the study were published by Labrujulaverde.
The research was carried out by the Underwater Archeology Service in collaboration with an interdisciplinary team of specialists and with the support of the Carabinieri Underwater Unit. In challenging conditions of low visibility and temperature, they were able to manually uncover layers of dense clay and document more than 600 wooden piles, which make up roughly a third of the site.
The location of the mounds, at a depth of 2.5 to 10 meters, allows us to infer lake level fluctuations over the centuries and the area of the ancient settlement. Archaeologists believe that part of the settlement was built on a wooden platform that was periodically destroyed, including by fires.
One of the most important results was the discovery of more than 25 bronze artifacts: fibulae, axes, spearheads, a sickle, a pin, and a perforated bridle with a solar symbol. All the finds were remarkably well preserved thanks to the anaerobic clay that prevented oxidation. Bronze ingots were also found, possibly traces of local production.
Future expeditions will focus on studying the deep "rings" of the pile mass and on the relationship between the levels of the finds and the stages of development of the area.
Translation by Euromedia24.com
