Late Etruscan Votive Heads from Tessennano

This detailed study provides a comprehensive examination of Late Etruscan terracotta votive heads originating from the rural sanctuary at Tessennano, which date primarily from the third and second centuries BC. By employing an advanced interdisciplinary methodology that effectively integrates stylistic typology, petrographic microscopy, thermal colour testing, and X-ray diffraction, the research thoroughly reconstructs the entire manufacturing sequence from initial handmade archetypes through complex multi-generational moulds. The author systematically classifies male, female, and child representations, paying meticulous attention to previously neglected handmade features, including backs and rims, to successfully identify specific workshops and distinct production units. Furthermore, the volume explores the intricate operational dynamics of craft, product, and mould circulation across South Etruria during a period marked by profound sociohistorical transformations and gradual Romanization. Ultimately, this detailed material analysis sheds crucial light on ancient coroplastic technology, regional distribution networks, and the evolving religious practices of local italic communities.