Le parole e le cose. La trasmissione del sapere e l'archeologia. Riflessioni ed esempi (Words and objects. The transmission of knowledge and archaeology. Insights and examples)

This paper investigates the contribution of archaeology to the study of the transmission of knowledge and craftsmanship. In particular, it examines how the study of a production cycle may contribute significantly to understanding the origin and the diffusion of technical knowledge, through written and material sources. This allows us to discover the associated historical, economic and anthropological phenomena. First, the relationship between technical treatises and archaeological artefacts is addressed. The contribution and the limits of the texts to interpret the archaeological record are considered. Above all, the role of archaeology is shown in understanding the 'prehistory' of a craft (the period in which they preexist texts), in spotting the errors in the texts or further explaining them. Secondly, the discontinuities of technical knowledge and their archaeological visibility are examined. These depend on the supply, the craftsmen's culture, the change in production system, the decrease of product demand in the market. In conclusion, the role of other voluntary (experimentation, material culture) and involuntary dynamics (lack of resources) are considered. The research on early medieval bells and mosaic glass exemplifies these general considerations.