reperti

Reperti is the plural form of reperto in Italian, used in archaeology to denote finds or artifacts. The term refers to objects recovered from an archaeological site that bear evidence about past human activity. Reperti can range from everyday domestic items to ceremonial or elite objects, and are the primary material basis for reconstructing past lifeways in Italian and international archaeology.

Types of reperti include pottery sherds and vessels, lithic tools and weapons, metal objects, seeds and plant or animal remains that have preserved, figurines, inscriptions, architectural fragments, and features such as hearths or pits observed during excavation. Reperti are classified by material, function, and archaeological context.

During excavation, each reperto is carefully documented with its findspot, depth, stratigraphic layer, and association with other finds. After recovery, reperti are cleaned, conserved, catalogued, and studied using typology, dating methods, and contextual analysis. Provenance records and photographic documentation are essential for future research.

Reperti help establish chronology, technological practices, trade networks, dietary patterns, and cultural connections between communities. They support the interpretation of daily life, economy, and rituals. Museums curate reperti in collections, often with interpretive labels to communicate their context to the public, while researchers publish results in scholarly works.