Technological and Material Continuities in Ceramic Production at Torba (Castelseprio): An Archaeometric Study across Late Antiquity and the Early Middle Ages

The thesis investigates technological and material changes in ceramic production at the Torba complex (Castelseprio, Lombardy) during the period from late antiquity to the early Middle Ages. Using an archaeometric approach, twenty ceramic samples were selected from stratified archaeological contexts and subjected to powder X-ray diffraction (XRPD) analysis, petrographic analysis, optical microscopy, and SEM-EDS. The aim is to identify variations in the supply of raw materials, firing technologies, and production practices over time. Mineralogical phases, crystalline structures, and the presence of vitrification or high-temperature markers (such as mullite and hematite) were systematically examined to reconstruct the operational chain. Special attention is paid to signs of continuity or technological innovation associated with historical changes, including the Lombard occupation. The results are cross-referenced with macroscopic typology and stratigraphic information to construct a comprehensive interpretative framework. This study contributes to the understanding of artisanal adaptation and technical resilience in rural monastic and post-Roman settlements in northern Italy.