The obsidian management in the central Mediterranean: a case study from Fornace Cappuccini (Northern Italy, Early Neolithic)

Obsidian played a central role in the socioeconomic changes that took place in the central Mediterranean during the early stages of Neolithization, marked by an increased circulation of exogenous materials and the rise of specializations that often led to unequal access to distant resources. Through the case study of Fornace Cappuccini (Faenza, RA, Early Neolithic), this work investigates the variability in obsidian management and exchange practices within the interaction networks of early farmers. Technological data suggest that obsidian was at least partially knapped locally, despite the site’s location at the northern margins of raw material distribution. Functional analysis of macroscopic use-wear traces indicates that part of the complex was used for working soft materials. These results suggest that this exogenous raw material had distinct management and use, partially overlapping with flint industries.