gems, jade, Fischer-Book

Torquato describes a group of Neolithic objects discovered in Friuli in northeastern Italy, examining their forms, materials, workmanship, and archaeological significance. The finds include polished stone implements and other artifacts, which he compares with prehistoric objects from elsewhere in Italy and Europe in an effort to characterize the region’s Neolithic material culture. Particular attention is given to the mineralogical nature of the stones used for axes and related implements, including unusual green materials relevant to contemporary discussions of jade, jadeite, and nephrite. The study contributes to the nineteenth-century documentation of prehistoric Friuli and to the broader debate concerning the distribution and provenance of jade and other exotic stone materials in Neolithic Europe.