Terramare refers to a prehistoric civilization that flourished in the central and northern regions of Italy during the Bronze Age, specifically between the 17th and 12th centuries BCE. The term "terramare" translates to "black earth," referencing the characteristic dark soil that was prevalent in these settlements due to their proximity to marshlands.
The terramare culture is characterized by its distinctive method of constructing villages on wooden piles driven into the marshy ground, creating stable platforms above the water level. These settlements were fortified with defensive palisades and ditches, highlighting their defensive nature. Within the villages, rectangular houses were arranged in a grid pattern, utilizing timber structures, clay, and thatched roofs.
The terremare people were predominantly engaged in agriculture, relying on the fertile soils of the surrounding lands, which they cleared for cultivation. Grain production, particularly wheat and barley, was a crucial component of their subsistence. They also practiced animal husbandry, mainly raising cows and pigs. Artisans within the terramare culture were skilled in pottery-making, bronze metallurgy, and the production of ornamental objects.
The terramare civilization reveals a complex social organization, with evidence of hierarchies and social differentiation. Furthermore, the presence of long-distance trade networks is indicated by the discovery of objects made from raw materials such as amber, glass, and copper from Sardinia, Sicily, and the Balkans.
The terramare culture declined around the 12th century BCE due to various factors, including environmental changes, internal conflicts, and external invasions. Nevertheless, its legacy can be observed in the subsequent Iron Age cultures that emerged in the Italian peninsula.
