First evidence in Italian mainland of Pantelleria obsidian: Highlights from WD-XRF and SEM-EDS characterization of Neolithic artefacts from Galliano necropolis (Taranto, Southern Italy)

In the Late Neolithic necropolis of Galliano (Taranto, Southern Italy) 52 samples of obsidian artefacts were found. Their characterization by absolutely non-destructive techniques like WD-XRF and SEM-EDS, for almost all of the samples, recognized the Lipari source for the raw material. Two samples show a different origin area: one from Palmamla, the southernmost signalling in Puglia for this source, and one from Pantelleria (sub-source of Salto la Vecchia and Balata dei Turchi) as first signalling on the continental Italy. Both source area, Palmarola and Pantelleria, have also been safely ascertained through quantitative compositional analyses of the microphenocrysts (pyroxenes and feldspars) present in the glass of 27 and 42 obsidian samples. In particular, the discovery of obsidian from Pantelleria in the Late Neolithic necropolis of Galliano, which can be traced back to the first centuries of the second half of the fifth millennium BC, significantly expanded its distribution area towards the east and the north, in a chronologically well-defined context.

Automated summary

Using absolutely non-destructive techniques, the research analyzed 52 samples of obsidian artifacts from the Late Neolithic necropolis of Galliano in southern Italy, and confirmed the Lipari source for most of the samples. Two samples were found to have a different origin: one from Palmarola, the southernmost signaling source in Puglia, and one from Pantelleria, the first signaling source on continental Italy. The analysis of microphenocrysts in the obsidian samples further confirmed the sources of Palmarola and Pantelleria.