University of Padova

Università degli Studi di Padova - Dipartimento di Geoscienze

Department of Geosciences via G.Gradenigo, 6 - 35131 Padova

The University of Padova field of research and activity has given the means to be a key partner in providing information and expertise in the following areas related to historical mining and exploration:

  • Distribution of copper/silver/lead/iron deposits in the Alpine region, Central/South Italy, and Sardinia
  • Prehistoric (Eneolithic, Bronze Age, Iron Age) exploitation of Alpine and Central Italian deposits - Prehistoric exploitation of Sardinia
  • Change in mining and smelting technology between prehistoric times (4-3 millennium BC), Bronze Age (2 millennium BC), Iron Age and Roman times, Post Roman and Middle Age times 
  • Copper/bronze diffusion and trade from the Alpine region to Central Europe and Scandinavia in the Bronze Age: we use geochemical tracers and lead isotopes to identify and follow the metal signal 
  • Through its network of contacts UP can provide local coordination with other groups working in ancient metallurgy (Distribution of smelting sites in the pre-Alps: Prof. De Guio; Alpine Iron routes: Prof. Martin, Ancient mines from the Republic of Venice: ARCA group; Roman iron metallurgy, Prof. Busana, Bronze Age metallurgy: Prof. Cupitò, and others)
  • Increased synergies with other ongoing projects are expected such as excavations on a metallurgical site of the 14th century AD in the Alpi Bellunesi area, ultra-trace metallic element analysis in lake sediment cores to reconstruct ancient metallurgical activities and environmental/pollution problems.
UP is also able to provide contact with groups working on environmental problems derived from past mining in Sardinia and Tuscany.