PORTUS LUPIAE. 3D MODELING AND VISUAL NARRATIVE FOR RECONSTRUCTING A LONG MARITIME HISTORY

[EN] The fast evolution of digital technologies and techniques of data recording have had a great impact on archaeological research. The first effect of this revolution was an increased number of strongly technologically oriented projects and applications. Among all available solutions, the use of 3D models is particularly relevant for the reconstruction of sites and monuments poorly preserved, often destroyed by natural causes or human action. These digital replicas are, at the same time, a virtual environment that can be used as a tool for the interpretative hypotheses of archaeologists and an effective medium for a visual description of the cultural heritage as it crosses linguistic barriers. In this paper, methodology, aims and outcomes of a virtual reconstruction of the ancient harbour at St. Cataldo (Lecce, south Italy) carried out by Portus Lupiae Project of the University of Salento, are offered as case study for a virtual reconstruction of a long maritime activity. The use of 3D technologies for teaching and research as well as the post-processing and implementation of data generate a new digital workflow for sharing local culture.Ferrari, I.; Quarta, A.; Sammarco, M.; Carpentieri, A.; Di Tondo, A.; Leone, R. (2016). PORTUS LUPIAE. 3D MODELING AND VISUAL NARRATIVE FOR RECONSTRUCTING A LONG MARITIME HISTORY. En 8th International congress on archaeology, computer graphics, cultural heritage and innovation. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 452-456. https://doi.org/10.4995/arqueologica8.2015.4156OCS45245

Grotta Lu Bissu (PU 141), hot spot della biospeleologia italiana

ItSi riassumono le principali conoscenze biospeleologiche sulla grotta Lu Bissu (= L’abisso) (Pu 141), nel territorio di Castro (Lecce). Nonostante le non eccezionali dimensioni, la grotta rappresenta, dal punto di vista biologico, una delle più importanti cavità del territorio regionale, dato che al suo interno sono state rinvenute ben 15 specie troglobie (10 acquatiche e 5 terrestri), che rappresentano il 35% dell’intero popolamento ipogeo pugliese. Dopo una descrizione dei principali caratteri geologici e morfologici della cavità, si elencano le specie ritrovate nella grotta, evidenziando la necessità di una maggiore protezione della stessa, al fine della salvaguardia del notevole patrimonio biospeleologico della cavità.EnThe present paper deals with the main biospeleological outcomes from the cave Lu Bissu (= The abyss) (number 141 in the Regional Inventory of Caves), located in the territory of Castro (Lecce province). Notwithstanding its quite limited size and depth, the cave is one of the most remarkable example in Apulia as regards biospeleology: in fact, Lu Bissu hosts 15 troglobian species (10 aquatic and 5 terrestrian). They represent 35 % of the whole hypogean fauna in Apulia, which means that one third of the Apulian species are present in this small cave. After a description of the main geological and morphological characters of the cavity, the 15 species are listed and briefly described. Eventually, some considerations on the necessity to protect the cave are presented, aimed at safeguarding the important biological heritage hosted in the cave

Folk Karst Terminology from Apulia (Southern Italy)

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Tumour-associated macrophages correlate with microvascular bed extension in colorectal cancer patients

Tumour-associated macrophages (TAMs) represent pivotal components of tumour microenvironment promoting angiogenesis, tumour progression and invasion. In colorectal cancer (CRC), there are no conclusive data about the role of TAMs in angiogenesis-mediated tumour progression. In this study, we aimed to evaluate a correlation between TAMs, TAM immunostained area (TAMIA) microvascular density (MVD), endothelial area (EA) and cancer cells positive to VEGF-A (CCP-VEGF-A) in primary tumour tissue of locally advanced CRC patients undergone to radical surgery. A series of 76 patients with CRC were selected and evaluated by immunohistochemistry and image analysis. An anti-CD68 antibody was employed to assess TAMs and TAMIA expression, an anti-CD34 antibody was utilized to detect MVD and EA expression, whereas an anti-VEGF-A antibody was used to detect CCP-VEGF-A; then, tumour sections were evaluated by image analysis methods. The mean ± S.D. of TAMs, MVD and CCP-VEGF-A was 65.58 ± 21.14, 28.53 ± 7.75 and 63% ± 37%, respectively; the mean ± S.D. of TAMIA and EA was 438.37 ± 124.14μ2 and 186.73 ± 67.22μ2, respectively. A significant correlation was found between TAMs, TAMIA, MVD and EA each other (r ranging from 0.69 to 0.84; P ranging from 0.000 to 0.004). The high level of expression of TAMs and TAMIA in tumour tissue and the significant correlation with both MVD and EA illustrate that TAMs could represent a marker that plays an important role in promoting angiogenesis-mediated CRC. In this context, novel agents killing TAMs might be evaluated in clinical trials as a new anti-angiogenic approach

The historical use of water resources in karst

Karst landscapes are characterized by lack or scarce presence of water at the surface. Ancient populations had, therefore, to face the issue of water availability by gaining a deep knowledge of the territories where they settled. Several techniques were developed at this aim, until reaching a high level of capability to collect, transport, and distribute water, even at long distances. Many areas in southern Italy still nowadays present hydraulic works of remarkable interest and historical values, most of which develop underground for long stretches. The present paper is an overview of the main ancient works designed and built by man to exploit water resources in karst; it describes some examples of surface channels and underground aqueducts, together with other features used for water storage in karst. The lessons learned from the ability of ancient populations to use water resources in a sustainable way are worthy to be re-evaluated nowadays, in times when we are periodically facing hydric crisis and droughts

Folk Karst Terminology from Apulia (Southern Italy)

Apulija v južni Italiji je eno izmed »klasičnih« kraških ozemelj italijanskega polotoka, saj je pretežno na močno zakraselih karbonatnih kamninah. Površinske oblike so predvsem kraškega nastanka in že dolgo časa predmet posebnih raziskav. Tri glavne podregije, na katere je običajno razdeljena Apulija (od severa proti jugu: polotok Gargano, planota Murge in polotok Salento), so bile v preteklosti podvržene kompleksnim in močno različnim družbenim in zgodovinskim dogajanjem. Zaradi tega so nastala v raznih delih Apulije, z jezikoslovnega gledišča zelo različna, narečja. Zaradi tega so izrazi, ki jih ljudje v Apuliji uporabljajo za označevanje kraških oblik, tako površinskih kot podzemeljskih, izredno različni. Te izraze so uporabljali nekdaj, a jih tudi še danes. V prispevku so predstavljeni nekateri teh izrazov, uporabljanih za označevanje najpomembnejših kraških oblik. Te izraze skuša avtor analizirati na podlagi geografske razprostranjenosti, etimologije z oziroma na krajevna narečja in oblike ter nastanka opisanih pojavov. Opozorjeno je tudi na današnje primere napačne rabe takih izrazov na krasu v Apuliji.Apulia region, in southern Italy, is one of the classical karst areas of the Italian peninsula, being underlain for most of its extension by intensely karstified carbonate rocks. The landscape presents essentially landforms of karstic origin, which have been the object of specific studies for a long time. The three main geographical sub-regions into which Apulia is generally divided (from north to south, the Gargano Promontory, the Murge plateau, and the Salento peninsula) have been characterized in the past centuries by complex and different social and historical events. These resulted in the development, from a linguistical point of view, of very distinct dialects in different parts of Apulia. The terms used to describe the karst landforms, both at the surface and underground, had subsequently been, and still are, extremely variable throughout the region. This paper illustrates some terms used in Apulia to designate and describe the main geomorphological manifestations of the karst landscape. An attempt is made to analyze the terms on the basis of: i) geographical distribution; ii) etymology, with reference to the local dialects; iii) morphological features and genesis of described landforms. Some cases of misuse of terms in the Apulian karst, even in recent times, are also pointed out

The use of geophysical prospections to map ancient hydraulic works: the Triglio underground aqueduct (Apulia, southern Italy)

This paper presents an integrated analysis using ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) studies to map the Triglio underground aqueduct that in Roman times supplied fresh water to the ancient town of Tarentum, modern Taranto, Apulia region, Italy. The study area includes an expansion project of a nearby limestone quarry where mining activity is related to the production of a steel factory (ILVA). The aim was to develop methods for detection and mapping of the geometry of the underground aqueduct. Seven GPR reflection profiles were acquired across and parallel to the hypothesized extent of the aqueduct, while the ERT method was used to understand the stratigraphy of the area and tie reflections to geological units. Well-preserved vertical shafts for ventilation and inspection of the ancient underground hydraulic work were investigated and used as models for GPR exploration. The GPR profiles, interpreted using both the trace amplitude analysis and the forward modelling, showed reflection features from the main horizontal tunnel of the ancient aqueduct. The void space within the aqueduct, usually the ceiling–air interface, was discovered and mapped using reflections profiles both parallel to the linear feature, but also crossing it, and differentiated from similar looking geological features. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

Characterization and provenance of building materials from the Roman pier at San Cataldo (Lecce, Southern Apulia, Italy): A lithostratigraphical and micropaleonthological approach

This study deals with the characterization of building materials used in a monumental pier of Roman age, located at San Cataldo, the main coastal harbour of the Roman town of Lupiae, modern Lecce (Southern Italy). In the manufacture of the outer curtains three different lithologies have been recognized, all comprised in Pietra Leccese Formation, which crops out in a broad geographical area of Salento Peninsula. Microfossils recovered from limestone blocks are used to suggest a provenance for the source-rock. Microfossils include planktonic foraminifera characteristic of the upper Miocene (Tortonian-Messinian) foraminiferal MMi11 (Neogloboquadrina acostaensis Biozone) and MMi13 (Globorotalia miotumida Biozone) biozones. The analysed lithic materials show biostratigraphical characteristics very similar to some samples from Acaya-Strudà zone (some 10 km South-West from the ancient harbour): comparative analysis has been performed, supporting a clear identification of the geological origin of limestone blocks. In hydraulic concrete different lithic materials have been used and mixed with a strong mortar. Macroscopic field observation clearly define that limestone clasts, variable in size, derive from the Pliocene Uggiano la Chiesa Formation, that widely crops out locally at San Cataldo; granular fractions of mortar probably derive from beaches and/or sandy dunes, available in the surrounding area, as well

Indagini aerotopografiche a Sipontum (Manfredonia, Foggia)

Le attività di ricerca avviate a Sipontum (Manfredonia, Foggia) dal Laboratorio di Topografia antica e Fotogrammetria dell’Università del Salento – in collaborazione con la cattedra di Archeologia Medievale dell’Università di Bari - consentono di ridisegnare la forma della antica colonia romana di Sipontum e di puntualizzare alcuni aspetti dello schema urbano. I dati derivati dall’indagine topografica, integrati con le conoscenze provenienti dagli scavi e da precedenti ricognizioni, insieme ad un’attenta analisi della documentazione aerofotografica storica e recente e delle immagini aeree oblique prodotte con ripetuti voli a bassa quota effettuati sull’area della città antica consentono una più accurata lettura dell’impianto urbano e del percorso delle fortificazioni (in opera quadrata a doppia cortina con riempimento in cementizio)