I Pressoi litici fra classificazione tipologica e indagine sperimentale

The stone presses constitute a fundamental element of the production process and they are of significant interest due to their historical and archaeological value.Those artifacts, being considered less valuable than others, have enjoyed relative anonymity on the Island. Furthermore, those we are in possession of are of doubtful and mysterious origin and it is difficult to interpret their typology and age.The aim of this research project is to clarify the topic through the establishment of a stone presses’ sample organised by type and function. This is to be achieved by employing experimental archaeology, etnoarchaeology and the multi-disciplinary archaeology of line production as approached by the "Archeologia dei Paesaggi".Of those artifacts concerned with the production of wine, the millstones, 103 fixed rural wineries have been found: 12 within the Guilcer area and 91 within the Barigadu area. This is in addition to 53 movable containers connected to at least other 30 wineries.The results of this research also considerably expand the knowledge and understanding of the methods of oil production in the ancient times.The existence of methods for oil productions can be proved by the presence of the so called arae. Those are basis made of stone necessary to operate lever presses.The discovery of over 50 arae indicates a high production for the local market.Having analysed the evidence discovered, it is appropriate to assume that production was widespread in those areas for a long period of time, namely from the Nuragic period to the late Middle Ages.