IL FENOMENO DELLA MINIATURIZZAZIONE NEI CONTESTI VOTIVI DI ROMA E DEL LAZIO TRA VI E V SEC. A.C.: SPUNTI DI RIFLESSIONE ALLA LUCE DI RICERCHE RECENTI

Abstract

As part of a PhD entitled La miniaturizzazione nei contesti votivi di Roma e del Lazio tra VI e V secolo a.C.,
at the Sapienza University of Rome, a study has been undertaken of the the miniaturistic ceramics found in
the votive areas of the Lazio region. The deposits analysed are specifically related to the public cult of Rome
and of the Latium vetus between the Late Bronze/Early Iron Age and the 5th century B.C. While interest in
this category of objects has been gradually increasing, it is only in recent years that proposals have been put
forward for a correct classification of the items. The purpose of this contribution is to provide some reflections
discovered during this research, concerning both the phenomenon of miniaturisation – terminological
and chronological issues and the possible use value of these objects – and the votive contexts, through the
application of the methodologies of archaeology of the sacred.