We present new archaeointensity results from three Italian kilns situated at Ascoli Satriano,
Vagnari and Fontanetto Po obtained with the Thellier modified by Coe double heating method.
These data complement the directional results previously published. All sites are dated on
the basis of archaeological information and/or thermoluminescence dating. The results are
corrected for the anisotropy of the thermoremanent magnetization and the cooling rate effects.
The new data are compared with previously published archaeointensity data from Italy and
nearby countries within 900 km radius from Viterbo. An initial data set including archaeointesity
data mainly coming from Italy, France, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary,
Greece and Bulgaria has been compiled. After the application of strict selection criteria, the
most reliable data have been used for the calculation of a preliminary Italian intensity secular
variation (SV) curve for the last 3000 yr. The new curve covers the 300 BC–400 AD
and 1200–1900 AD periods. It is established by means of sliding windows of 200 yr shifted
by 100 yr. The lack of reliable data for the 1000–200 BC and 400–1200 AD time intervals
does not permit the calculation of a continuous curve. Clearly, more high-quality archaeointensity
data from Italy and Europe are still needed to draw a robust intensity SV curve for
the Italian Peninsula that could be used for archaeomagnetic dating in combination with the directional data.
