The Iron Age Stelae of Daunia (Italy)

Abstract

The anthropomorphic stelae of Iron Age Daunia are a phenomenon not only in the archaeological record of Italy, but for pre- and proto-historic populations of the Mediterranean in general. Their complexity, rich imagery, large number, and very small spread across time and place render them unique. Yet they remain at the fringe of archaeological awareness and are not well known outside their place of manufacture. This thesis aims to redress that situation, both by reviewing past scholarship on the stelae and offering a fresh, in-depth, objective analysis of the monuments. By looking at the corpus in its entirety and systematically, attribute by attribute, it is possible to elucidate a great deal more than we currently know not only about the stelae but about their makers. The Iron Age Daunians stood (metaphorically and literally) between the Etruscans, Samnites, Illyrians, and Greek colonists and indigenous populations of Magna Grecia, but are not as well regarded or understood as those populations. The extant Daunian material culture is otherwise relatively unsophisticated, and does not suggest substantial social stratification. The stelae not only give pause to rethink this position, but provide the only self-narrative we have for this fascinating society. Because many of the stelae are female, they also offer a valuable insight into proto-historic gender constructs of the region.