An archaeometallurgic study of Byzantine and medieval metallic slags from southern Apulia

The evidence of metallurgical activity identified at eleven medieval village sites in the province of Lecce (southern Apulia, Italy) is reported. Through the combination of stratigraphic and typological criteria, 62 metallurgical slags were selected and analysed by XRD, SEM, XRF, ICP-OES, ICP-MS and INAA. The results of archaeological and archaeometallurgical studies have provided evidence of important post-reduction ironworks, while the trade of semi-finished products is suggested by the lack of iron and copper ore sources in Salento and in the entire region of Apulia. The possible provenance of semi-finished products (Sicily, Calabria, Greece, the Near East area, the eastern Adriatic coast and the eastern Alps) has also been taken into consideration.