Traces of additive manufacturing in early iron age anthropomorphic pendants

Bronze pendants depicting anthropomorphic couples, dating back to the 8th century BC, were found in several protohistoric sites in Calabria. The historical and cultural context of the archaeological finds is linked to the Oenotrians, a population that settled in Southern Italy before Greek colonization. We present the results of the investigation on two bronze pendants dating back to the early Iron Age belonging to two different classes, namely “Type A” and “Type B”. By unveiling their manufacturing technology, we aim to inquire about the origins of these artifacts, their uses, and the relative historical period. To achieve our goals, we utilized two non-destructive techniques: X-ray microtomography (X-ray μCT) for 3D visualization of internal structures, and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM-EDX) for the chemical composition analysis of the bronze objects. Notable differences emerge between the two artifacts; “Type A” displays well-defined anatomical details that are absent in “Type B”. Furthermore, 3-D reconstructions reveal additional information on production techniques and alteration effects, such as fractures and voids. Evidence suggests that both pendants were cast in molds, but “Type A” underwent additional modeling, resulting in detailed anatomical features, a functional necklet hole, and added elements like knees and arms. In contrast, “Type B” displays smooth forms with minimal post-casting processing. SEM-EDX analysis revealed notable differences in composition: “Type A” contains a higher proportion of copper and lower tin content. In contrast, “Type B” has significantly more tin and less copper, with similar lead content.