Euganean trachytic grinding stones in the Caput Adriae from the Iron Age to the Roman period: Reassessment of the Protohistoric quarries

A group of Euganean trachytic grinding stones from Slovenia and the available data about the same type of artefacts in the whole Caput Adriae are presented. The occurrence of Iron Age saddle querns in Karst and Istria is confirmed, but our study suggests a likely provenance from Mts Cero/Murale instead of Mts Altore/Rocca Pendice, as previously suggested. Este, an important Venetic centre, is just south of Mts Cero/Murale, suggesting its central role in the production and distribution of saddle querns. During the Roman period Euganean trachytes are still used for rotary millstones, but new quarries (Mt Rosso), relatively close to ancient Padua, are exploited. Such shift in the position of millstone quarries most probably reflects the changed geopolitical framework.

Automated summary

This article presents a group of Euganean trachytic grinding stones from Slovenia and the available data about similar artifacts in the Caput Adriae region. The study confirms the presence of Iron Age saddle querns in Karst and Istria, suggesting their likely origin from Mts Cero/Murale instead of Mts Altore/Rocca Pendice as previously believed. The article also discusses the continued use of Euganean trachytes for millstones during the Roman period, with a shift in quarry location likely influenced by changing geopolitical factors.