Robin Skeates

TRITON’S TRUMPET: A NEOLITHIC SYMBOL IN ITALY

in «Oxford Journal of Archaeology» 10, 1991, pp. 17-31

Summary. The distribution and uses of triton shells in Italy from the Neolithic to modern times are described in detail, along with a summary of examples from the Neolithic and Copper Age of Central Europe and the central and eastern Mediterranean. Attention is the focused upon the triton shell trumpet, which is interpreted both as a Neolithic visual symbol and an oral signal, and suggestions are offered concerning its changin meaning in historical and more recent times.

INTRODUCTION

Triton shells have long been recognized by archaeologists as more than mere molluscs. The deposition of these shells and their skeuomorphs in prehistoric ritual contexts ha been frequently attested in the eastern Mediterranean (Mosso 1910, 363-365; Montagu 1981; Reece 1985, 353-364), and their use as conch shell trumpets is known from around the world (Jackson 1917). The Italian examples of these shells, however, have so far received little attention, which is surprising, considering their early date and prolonged use. This paper therefore seeks to redress the balance. Detailed contextual data are presented below concerning the human uses of triton shells in Italy, from Neolithic to modern times, and more generally for Neolithic and CopperAge examples from Europe and the Mediterranean. Interpretations of these uses are the offered.

CHARONIA NODIFERA

Triton shells belong to the genus Charonia. There are about a dozen species, which are found world-wide. The name ‘Triton’s Trumpet’ belongs, strictly speaking, to the Indo-Pacific species, Charonia tritonis, whereas the Mediterranean variety is Charonia nodifera. The latter siphonal canals, and large apertures, and can grow up to 30 cm in length. They are carniverous, and live on rocks and gravel in the lower coastal zone in fairly deep sea water. They can, however, be collected dead on beaches (Oliver 1975, 144; Reece 1985, 353). Fossil examples have been found in Sicily and Calabria, and also throughout the Mediterranean, in Pliocene and Quaternary marine formations (Gignoux 1913)...

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