La via dei metalli in Sicilia. Un contributo dai ripostigli per lo studio delle forme di approvvigionamento

Abstract

From the Bronze Age the existence of a commercial circuit of collection of “old metal” in the form of hoards, which involves almost all regions of the Mediterranean and affects both silver and bronze, which however follow different circuits. The aim is to accumulate raw material, a source of wealth also for use as an means of exchange, thanks to a system management of waste metal collection and recycling centres, as well as agents and mechanisms specialized exchange. Sicily was at the center of the bronze and silver collection circuits.