IT
EN
On the western side of the large residential building the kitchen and pantry spaces were placed next to each other. Inside the latter, there were two large terracotta containers (dolia), used for holding foodstuffs. The most frequently used vessels, in both the kitchen and pantry, are those of the olla vase and the cooking-bell, often found together. The olla and the cooking-bell could be employed as much for cooking as for the presentation of foods at the banquet; or they could be utilized in the pantry, to conserve foodstuffs. Among the most numerous of the kitchenware items were the mortars, or basin-mortars, used in food preparation and also employed for cooking purposes. Some artifacts evoke the kinds of activity that most likely took place in this settlement: the spools and spindle whorls testify to spinning and textile work, the weights for nets are evidence of fishing, cheaply produced ceramics suggest the existence of nearby kilns, the bronze aes rude (pieces of metal used as currency before the advent of coins) bespeak commercial exchanges, while the signs scratched on the bottom of vases confirm that this was a literate community. Among the objects of personal adornment, there stands out, for its high artistic quality and remarkable crafting, a semi-precious stone gem, a cornelian, which originally was mounted on a ring, and probably functioned as a seal.
Large ‘dolio’ (Etruscan ceramic jar) of ‘impasto’ technique, generally used for storing grains
‘Impasto olla’ jars, with ring-shaped grips on their covers, used for the preservation and cooking of foods; photo of the group of pieces
Spindles for spinning procedures; photo of the group of pieces; various items and decorations
Scarab – carnelian seal; the seal represents a winged sphinx, with human head