With this study we provide the compositional characterization of archaeological ceramics from the earliest phases of the indigenous sanctuary located on top of Polizzello Mountain, in Central Sicily (Italy). The site represents a remarkable evidence of the Late Bronze Age (LBA) - Early Iron Age (EIA) transition on the island, and it is characterized by the striking occurrence of material offerings in the form of ritually fragmented and highly standardized objects. The presence of multiple structures and the frequent evidence of dining activities, has led to the idea that the hilltop represented an important landmark for local indigenous communities across the landscape of Central Sicily. To test such hypothesis, bulk compositional analysis was used for the ceramics from the EIA levels of the sanctuary at Polizzello Mountain. Sixty-eight diagnostic specimens were analyzed via Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) to discriminate among distinct pottery groups according to the composition of their paste. The outcomes show little but clear compositional variations between three main pottery groups, which likely reflect the geographic background of the communities gathering at the sanctuary.

通过这项研究，我们提供了位于意大利西西里岛中部 Polizzello 山顶的土著保护区最早阶段的考古陶瓷的成分特征。该遗址代表了岛上青铜时代晚期 (LBA) 至铁器时代早期 (EIA) 过渡的显着证据，其特点是以仪式碎片化和高度标准化的物品形式出现的物质祭品引人注目。多个结构的存在和频繁的餐饮活动，导致人们认为山顶代表了西西里岛中部景观中当地土著社区的重要地标。为了验证这种假设，对来自 Polizzello 山保护区的 EIA 级别的陶瓷进行了整体成分分析。通过仪器中子活化分析 (INAA) 分析了 68 个诊断样本，以根据其糊状物的成分区分不同的陶器组。结果显示三个主要陶器群体之间的成分差异很小但很明显，这可能反映了聚集在圣所的社区的地理背景。