The cultural deposits of the sacred area of Poggio Colla

Description

A votive stipe was also found at the Poggio Colla site, which goes to reinforce the ritual value of the destruction of the ancient temple and includes over 430 bronzes covering a very wide range of objects. The preponderance of bronzes and the absence of votive pottery or terracotta is characteristic of northern Etruria. In addition, the objects appear to have been deliberately broken, fragmented, and probably burned. This deposit provides evidence for the practice of fragmentation, that is, the deliberate breaking of objects for ritual purposes. The practice of ritually shattering bronzes can be equated with the destruction of the temple and its ritual reuse. Another deposit, inside a pit that had been covered with stones and tiles, contained a jug and a heavy bronze ring, evidence, probably, of a foundation ritual. Finally, a further deposit of jewelry and semi-precious stones was offered by a woman, or perhaps more than one, to the local deity.