Early Neolithic potters of the Italian middle Adriatic region
This paper presents the preliminary results of the study of the Early Neolithic pottery production in the
Marche region, Italy (VI mill. BC). The main goal of this research is to expand the knowledge of pottery manufacturing
processes associated to the typical Central Adriatic Impressed Ware, at present poorly understood.
All sites under analysis are located in the piedmont hills of the Apennine Mountains, except one which is on
the coast. This study aims to highlight synchronic and diachronic variability in pottery technology, to identify
common traits and to investigate the raw materials selection and exploitation strategies. The pottery
assemblages are examined by means of an integrated approach which include techno-typological and
archaeometric analyses. The environmental factors, the distribution of resources, the technology solutions
taken by these early Neolithic communities are considered.