LA MANIFATTURA TESSILE NELL’INSEDIAMENTO FORTIFICATO DI ROFALCO*

Abstract

Rofalco is a late-Etruscan fortress in the territory of Vulci. Thanks to a long-term excavation project and
the good preservation of the archaeological evidence some analyses can help to understand the economy of
the site. This paper discusses the evidence related to textile production (spindle whorl, loom weights and
bobbins) discovered so far.
The dimension and weight analysis together with the spatial distribution and clustering demonstrate the
crucial role of textile production within the economy of the fortress. Loom weights cluster in the residential
buildings and a specific room appears to have been a textile workshop. As suggested by some epigraphic
finds, women living in Rofalco were likely in charge of this production. Finally, statistical analyses of the 205
loom weights show the existence of different weight classes, likely to be connected to specialized production
(ie. wool fabric).
As the site is located along the natural route between Vulci and Volsinii the trade in textile (as well as agricultural
products) can be considered a significant part of the economy of the fortress.