Archaeomagnetic Dating as a Tool to Overcome the Hallstatt Plateau: A Combined Chronological Approach at the Salt Production Site of Piscina Torta (Rome, Italy)
Abstract
The salt production site of Piscina Torta (Rome, Italy) presents a complex chronological challenge due to its ceramic assemblage, which is almost exclusively represented by coarse ware jars with limited morphological variability. Furthermore, its occupation period coincides with the Hallstatt plateau, which hampers radiocarbon dating resolution. This study addresses these limitations by applying archaeomagnetic analyses to a kiln and ceramic fragments both from Area 1 of the site. Archaeomagnetic dating based on directions from the kiln and on archaeointensity from pottery sherds yielded two-time intervals: 930–755 BCE and 740–700 BCE.
