INDUSTRIAL ARCHAEOLOGY IN CAMPANIA (ITALY): THE DISMISSED TANNERIES OF SOLOFRA

In the inland areas of the region of Campania, the most widespread activity has always been agriculture, with it being the primary source of income until the 1960s of the last century. The exception is a small town in the province of Avellino, Solofra, which, historically, based its economy on tanning. In fact, the first tanneries date back to the fourth century and were then developed over time, particularly in the area known as Toppolo. The structures that still exist, clearly highlight not only the need of the time to use local materials as well as adapt to the production process of the leather, but also the spontaneous adaptation to the conditions and opportunities that the characteristics of the site offered. The state of abandonment of these interesting examples of industrial archeology and the fate of the dismissed tanneries have been the centre of discussion for a number of years. The study of the abandoned tanneries in Solofra gives the opportunity to understand how human ability – both in terms of construction techniques and production requirements – has been expressed through the construction of tanneries, as well as how the characteristics of the place have affected these choices.