Amber Trade in Western Adriatic between the Iron and the Late Archaic Age. Workshops, Artisans and Artifacts, Exchange Networks

The existence of high value objects such as amber in elite graves or in sanctuaries must be considered in light of its role as ingredient in a larger network of cultural relationships. Amber was internationally recognized prestigious and valuable object, suitable for exchange, gift-giving, and status display. Amber trade in Italy during the Iron Age has had a great development with the appearance of figured ambers. The different subjects represented reflect the plurality of cultural and commercial relations established among Greeks, Etruscans and Italic peoples. The Adriatic appears to have been the main destination for the amber intended for the Italian markets. Once at the Adriatic, amber must have been moved by water along the coast, finding its way inland along the river valleys and mountain passes. Among the most active centers of the Orientalizing, Verucchio is the main poles for the sorting of amber, thanks to its strategic location, allowing it to control the traffics coming from Northern Etruria (Vetulonia), Northern Europe and the Adriatic. Its production is very fine and characterized by a wide variety of ornaments, also popular in other geographical and cultural districts located along the Adriatic coast. Amber sculptures of high stylistic level appear during the 6th cent., found in the rich italic tombs (Basilicata, Apulia and Picenum), traced back to workshops localizable in Picenum, Canosa and Armento, in which certainly worked artisans from Ionia and from Etruria.