The Terramare/1 – Pottery
1.
During the second half of the 19th century, the extraction of marl by local farmers, along with the earliest scientific excavations, brought a large number of finds from the terramare to what was then called the Museum of Antiquities (now the Archaeological Museum). The richest collections come from the terramare of Castione Marchesi, Casaroldo, Torricella, and Basilicanova.
The pottery from Castione and Parma stands out for its dark or black, glossy surfaces—leading to the use of the term bucchero terramaricolo.
The set of horned handles from Castione Marchesi clearly illustrates how these vessel elements evolved over time: conical or blunt shapes, typical of the 15th century BCE, were gradually replaced during the 14th century by more elaborate forms—such as frontal or side disks, with or without a central boss—until, in the 13th century BCE, the characteristic bovine horn shapes appear.
2.
The terramara of Vicofertile, established in the early 15th century BCE, remained in use—likely expanding its residential area—until the first decades of the 12th century. Covering around 15 hectares, it was one of the largest and longest-lasting settlements in the Parma area.
Among the earliest ceramics are a large cup with a horned handle and a bowl with a small lateral handle.
In contrast, the cup featuring impressed decorations of lines and dots, along with a tall handle, is typical of the village’s final occupation phase.
3.
Excavations at the terramara of Parma were carried out by L. Pigorini in 1864 and G. Mariotti in 1907. More recent investigations have revealed that the settlement covered at least 5 to 6 hectares, and uncovered numerous wooden posts preserved in excellent condition thanks to the soil’s high humidity. These excavations also confirmed that, at least in its earliest phases, the pile-dwelling village was built over a sort of marshland.
The ceramic finds—especially the abundance of vessels with glossy black surfaces—indicate that the site was inhabited from the late 16th to the 13th century BCE.
4.
Extensive, long-term excavations were conducted at the terramara of Beneceto in the early 21st century. The settlement, occupied from the 15th to the early 12th century BCE, was established along an ancient river channel, with dwellings raised above ground level.
As in all terramare settlements, a large quantity of pottery was found, produced—like elsewhere in this culture—within the domestic sphere. On the left are several vessels, including a bowl with a horned handle, dating to the earliest phase of the settlement. On the right are pieces from its final period of occupation.