a multi scalar approach to long term dynamics spatial relations and economic networks of roman secondary settlements in italy and the ombrone valley system southern tuscany towards a model

In Roman landscapes, the particular sites defined as secondary settlements (also known as vici/villages, minor centres, agglomerations secondaires and/or stationes/mansiones) have played an 'intermediary' role between the cities and other rural structures (villae/farms), linked to medium- and long-distance economic and commercial trajectories. The aim of this paper is to apply a multi-scalar approach to model their long-term spatial relationships and connectivity with the Mediterranean exchange network. On the macro-scale, we have analysed a sample of 219 reviewed sites to understand the diachronic trends and spatial dynamics of attraction/proximity to significant elements of the landscape such as towns, roads, rivers and coastline. The Ombrone Valley (Tuscany, Italy) represents a micro-scale case study of a complex system, in which the imported pottery (amphorae, African Red Slip ware, ingobbiata di rosso) found in the vicus/mansio of Santa Cristina in Caio, the Roman villa of La Befa and the town of Siena (Saena Iulia) provided diagnostic 'macroeconomic' perspectives. The results show how the secondary settlements occupied a nodal position in the Roman landscape in terms of resilience (long period of occupation until the Early Middle Ages) and spatial organization with a close relationship to natural and anthropic infrastructures and trade functions linked to Mediterranean routes

Lo Scoglietto nel paleo-paesaggio della piana di Grosseto

Abstract : This chapter discusses the geological and morphological aspects of Monti dell’Uccellina, and the historical evolution of the coastal plain of Grosseto, particularly of the area at the foot of Scoglietto. The mountain chain is com- posed of Mesozoic and Paleogene formations, while the coastal plain was formed more recently (i.e. in the Pleistocene and Holocene).The historical advancement of the coastline brought about a gradual narrowing of the bay below Scoglietto, a phenom-enon already occurring during the Middle Ages and completed before the year 1300 AD. This indenture of the coastline formed a convenient natural harbor in ancient times but due to silting was later abandoned.These observations are consistent with the dissolution of the temple (mid 4th century) and the abandonment of the entire area of Scoglietto in the 6th century. According to the available archaeological data, the coastal strip of land named Tombolo did not favour permanent set-tlement or road building until the second half of the 1st c. AD. In fact, the via Aurelia vetus, constructed around 241BC, followed the ancient lagoon coastline. Consequently, it ran closer to the towns of Rusellae and Vetulonia: a more advanta-geous route from which to control both the Etruscans and their territories.The increasing importance of the harbours/landings network during the first Imperial age spurred the development of the local infrastructure, including a road connecting the harbours, the production and storage site of Lo Spolverino, and the small temple of Scoglietto. It is likely that the whole area was under public ownership by the end of the 1st c. AD. By the early 5th c. it is likely a breakdown of the settlement network occurred since there is no more archaeological data from this area for any subsequent period until the late Middle Ages

Inquadramento geologico e geomorfologico della valle del Colosseo

In collaborazione con A. Arnoldus si presenta il disegno della valle del Colosseo e del sistema collinare che si affaccia su di essa prima dell'inizio dell'urbanizzazione, integrando i dati noti sulla geologia di un settore di Roma con le osservazioni derivanti dall'analisi archeologica

Gerarchia dell’insediamento e potenzialità di sfruttamento delle risorse naturali nel territorio di Roselle-Grosseto: una proposta metodologica,

Il contributo affronta le dinamiche del popolamento medievale nel territorio di Grosseto alla luce della teoria dei sistemi

Archeologia urbana a Grosseto. Origine e sviluppo di una città medievale nella “Toscana delle città deboli”. Le ricerche 1997 – 2005. I: la città di Grosseto nel contesto geografico della bassa valle dell’Ombrone. Biblioteca del Dipartimento di Archeologia e Storia delle Arti - sezione archeologica, Università di Siena, 16.

Il primo dei due volumi sulle ricerche generate dal progetto di archeologia urbana a Grosseto presenta una serie di studi sul territorio circostante la città fin dalla preistoria. Una particolare attenzione è stata posta sul sistema viario nel tempo e sull'evoluzione della laguna il cui peso nella storia urbana è ormai acclarato

Predicting site location through cost surfaces. A case study and a proposal.

Predictive modelling in archaeology is a long-lasting debated topic among scholars, with a consolidated set of tools. This paper introduces a general procedure, which doesn’t require high-level GIS or mathematical skills. It uses cumulative cost surfaces not only to calculate least costpaths, but also to predict settlement location and t oevaluate resource exploitation

Archaeological investigations in the Torre Spaccata valley (Rome): human interaction with the recent activity of the Albano Maar.

The Torre Spaccata valley, situated in the southeastern suburbs of Rome, was investigated between 1997 and 1998 and again in 2006. It lies about 15 km from the Colli Albani volcanic complex, the recent evolution of which incorporates deposition of the volcanic-sedimentary sequence of the Tavolato Formation (including the Albano lahar deposits). During the excavations, a limited strip of lahar was uncovered and dated archaeologically to the fourth century BCE. Other main features include several intercrossing channels with a sandy-pebbly fill, evidence of intermittent hydrological activity. In this area there is evidence of a prolonged interaction through time between human activity and the valley's varying environments. The prehistoric evidence (third to second millennium BCE) is well documented in a concentration of sites on the eastern outskirts of Rome. The prehistoric evidence (third to second millennium BCE) has a good context in the concentration of sites in the eastern outskirts of Rome. Other reliable traces date to the fourth to third century BCE, soon after local lahar deposition. During the Late Republican and Imperial period, the hilltops were occupied by a dense system of villae. Later remains provide evidence for agricultural use of the valley floor during the Middle Ages

Radiocarbon Dating in Late-Roman and Medieval Contexts: An Archaeological Excavation in the Center of Florence, Italy

From the 19th International Radiocarbon Conference held in Keble College, Oxford, England, April 3-7, 2006.A series of samples for radiocarbon dating were collected in 2005 from the Biblioteca Magliabechiana archaeological excavation area in the center of Florence, Italy, in a project directed by the Dipartimento di Archeologia e Storia delle Arti of the University of Siena, in cooperation with the Soprintendenza per i Beni Architettonici e per il Paesaggio per le province di Firenze e Prato. This area is located near the Uffizi Galleries, close to the Roman town, the Arno River and one of its former tributaries. The area is peculiar for the Florentine urban context because it was free from urban development until the 12th century AD. The exposed stratigraphy showed the presence of several layers composed of natural sediments, partly the result of historical floods. Here, we report a series of 14C measurements on charcoal and seed samples collected on this excavation. 14C dating has been performed in the LABEC laboratory in Florence, on the accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) beam line of the AMS-IBA 3MV Tandetron accelerator. We also had the opportunity to compare the 14C dates obtained with several series of samples previously collected in nearby archaeological areas. Results were consistent with the data obtained previously and, moreover, offer interesting new aspects to the interpretation of the archaeological findings.The Radiocarbon archives are made available by Radiocarbon and the University of Arizona Libraries. Contact [email protected] for further information.Migrated from OJS platform February 202