Angelo Martinotti
Associazione Archeologica Lomellina
piazza Castello, 27025 Gambolò (PV)
Centro Camuno di Studi Preistorici - Dipartimento Valcamonica e Lombardia
via Sommavilla 12, 25050 Niardo (BS)
Istituto Archeologico Valtellinese
c/o Palazzo Besta, via F. Besta 1, 23036 Teglio (SO)
piazza Castello, 27025 Gambolò (PV)
Centro Camuno di Studi Preistorici - Dipartimento Valcamonica e Lombardia
via Sommavilla 12, 25050 Niardo (BS)
Istituto Archeologico Valtellinese
c/o Palazzo Besta, via F. Besta 1, 23036 Teglio (SO)
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Papers by Angelo Martinotti
scratching technique as a prerequisite for the analysis of chronology and interpretation of sequential depicting actions.
As a standard test for defining and calibrating the method two small fragments of stone from Piancogno (BS) showing complex compositions of figurative and abstract scratching overlapping each other were chosen. The several cases of intersection between the lines have suggested a special workflow aimed to obtain a suitable organization and presentation of the high quantity of gathered data. This involves the following steps: preliminary investigation with a digital microscope to quantify morphometric differences and tangency points of the scratched lines, digital photo-mosaic of the engraved surfaces to obtain a very high–resolution image, digital vector tracing of the figures, comparison and checking against the traditional hand–made tracing. The sequence of superimpositions is finally conceptualized through a stratigraphic diagram modeled on the Harris Matrix, which processes a grid of coordinate pairs (figure n.–intersection point n.) assigned to each intersection point between lines. This methodology has allowed the creation of a precise and orderly platform of data, an essential starting point for the next set of chronological and interpretative investigations.
The symbolic meaning of this object would be related to the social prestige associated with the practice of cooking meat; there is also a specific symbolic undertone related to the ritualistic-sacred sphere, when the consumption of meat concerned the remains of animal sacrificed during ceremonies in the honour of deities. The particular importance attributed to the symbol of the shovel in the Camunian rock art it is believed to be particularly related to the sacred meaning of liturgical instrument.
A significant case is represented by the shield-shaped figures in Valtellina’s prehistoric rock art, a group of symbols that shows homogeneity of formal features and coherence of contextual relations. In Valtellina, shield-shaped figures appear to be constantly in connection with geometric figurative complexes known as “topographic representations”, considered to be abstract and symbolic reproductions of the artificial elements of a territory (fields, huts, villages), as seen from above. In Valtellina, we can delineate a particular family of shield-shaped figures, describable as “topographic”, that – as part of planimetric compositions – share the same topographic significance. The association with an easily datable subject such as the topographic one allows to remark, in the formal variation of the shield-shaped figures of Valtellina, a coherent typological evolution during time, which has also semantic implications. These figures appear on rocks located near the hypothetical seats of settlements or cultivated fields, probably with functions of magic and sacred protection or as a prosperity omen for the community and its land.
Gradually, during the Bronze age, the shield-shaped figures acquire a more complete ideographic value, taking the place of the previous topographic compositions and inheriting in toto their protecting and blessing meanings.
Talks by Angelo Martinotti
scratching technique as a prerequisite for the analysis of chronology and interpretation of sequential depicting actions.
As a standard test for defining and calibrating the method two small fragments of stone from Piancogno (BS) showing complex compositions of figurative and abstract scratching overlapping each other were chosen. The several cases of intersection between the lines have suggested a special workflow aimed to obtain a suitable organization and presentation of the high quantity of gathered data. This involves the following steps: preliminary investigation with a digital microscope to quantify morphometric differences and tangency points of the scratched lines, digital photo-mosaic of the engraved surfaces to obtain a very high–resolution image, digital vector tracing of the figures, comparison and checking against the traditional hand–made tracing. The sequence of superimpositions is finally conceptualized through a stratigraphic diagram modeled on the Harris Matrix, which processes a grid of coordinate pairs (figure n.–intersection point n.) assigned to each intersection point between lines. This methodology has allowed the creation of a precise and orderly platform of data, an essential starting point for the next set of chronological and interpretative investigations.
The symbolic meaning of this object would be related to the social prestige associated with the practice of cooking meat; there is also a specific symbolic undertone related to the ritualistic-sacred sphere, when the consumption of meat concerned the remains of animal sacrificed during ceremonies in the honour of deities. The particular importance attributed to the symbol of the shovel in the Camunian rock art it is believed to be particularly related to the sacred meaning of liturgical instrument.
A significant case is represented by the shield-shaped figures in Valtellina’s prehistoric rock art, a group of symbols that shows homogeneity of formal features and coherence of contextual relations. In Valtellina, shield-shaped figures appear to be constantly in connection with geometric figurative complexes known as “topographic representations”, considered to be abstract and symbolic reproductions of the artificial elements of a territory (fields, huts, villages), as seen from above. In Valtellina, we can delineate a particular family of shield-shaped figures, describable as “topographic”, that – as part of planimetric compositions – share the same topographic significance. The association with an easily datable subject such as the topographic one allows to remark, in the formal variation of the shield-shaped figures of Valtellina, a coherent typological evolution during time, which has also semantic implications. These figures appear on rocks located near the hypothetical seats of settlements or cultivated fields, probably with functions of magic and sacred protection or as a prosperity omen for the community and its land.
Gradually, during the Bronze age, the shield-shaped figures acquire a more complete ideographic value, taking the place of the previous topographic compositions and inheriting in toto their protecting and blessing meanings.