THE WARRIOR ELITE OF THE MIDDLE BRONZE AGE IN SOUTHEASTERN ITALY: TOPPO DAGUZZO TOMB THREE REVISITED

The analysis of archaeological evidence in funerary remains is a fundamental tool for the study of symbolic behaviour and social organization in prehistoric communities. Studies in this field have until now focused on the data relating to rank and power, chiefly emphasizing the importance of grave goods (presence or absence, quality and quantity), ritual offerings, and ceremo-nial or cult activity that played a central role in social control. Although these aspects are clearly important, the focus of this paper is on the results obtained from a closely integrated archaeological and anthropological study. All the data examined, derived from different disciplinary fields, are considered as visible (and invisible) evidence that together define the archaeological context. Toppo Daguzzo Tomb Three, together with the Bronze Age chamber tombs discovered in southeastern Italy in recent decades, illustrates the leading role of the warrior elite in a lineage-based society.