From scattered data to palaeolandscape reconstruction : a case study from the Romagna plain, Italy

In this paper, I will present an approach to create digital elevation models of the palaeolandscape (palaeoDEMs) for a test area within the larger Romagna plain. The many landscape transformations that occurred in the area during the last few millennia greatly limit our archaeological knowledge and historical reconstruction of the human presence, so a better understanding of how the topography changed represents a fundamental step. However, relying only on the finite archaeological data would have greatly limited the level of accuracy of the reconstructions. To try to overcome these limitations, the archaeological data have been integrated with information regarding palaeosols identified both during targeted fieldwork campaigns and in pre-existing data collected by archaeological and geological investigations. The depths of archaeological sites and geological layers have been interpolated to produce palaeoDEMs for four different chronological periods, confirming the feasibility of this approach, that could potentially be enlarged to nearby areas or applied to other regions with similar characteristics. Furthermore, through the analysis of the models created, it has been possible to elucidate the evolution of the study area, confirming several previously expressed hypotheses but also to propose a new one

The medieval rural settlement in Bassa Romagna : a first predictive model and future directions

The paper presented here is an extraction of my MA dissertation and falls within the landscape project Bassa Romandiola. Considering the biases present in the dataset at disposal, predictive modelling has been chosen as a methodology potentially useful to gain more information about the medieval settlement patterns of the area. Both environmental and “socio-cultural” variables have been considered, to make the most of the data available. A first predictive map has been created using the Dempster-Shafer theory and possible future directions highlighted to improve the result obtained

Traces around a capital: the hinterland of Ravenna through remote sensing

Remote sensing has been a fundamental tool in reconstructing the urban landscape of the abandonedLate Antique city of Classe, near Ravenna (Italy). However, much of Classe urban plan is not yet known,while the vast area north of Ravenna has been generally ignored for the presence of thick alluvialdeposits. The number of freely available aerial and satellite images has increased exponentially in thepast decade, yet no study has exploited these sources. The features mapped by analysing these sourcesallowed us to identify new structures in Classe and shed new light on water management and land-usepractices around Ravenna

Exploiting satellite SAR for archaeological prospection and heritage site protection

Optical and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) remote sensing has a long history of use and reached a good level of maturity in archaeological and cultural heritage applications, yet further advances are viable through the exploitation of novel sensor data and imaging modes, big data and high-performance computing, advanced and automated analysis methods. This paper showcases the main research avenues in this field, with a focus on archaeological prospection and heritage site protection. Six demonstration use-cases with a wealth of heritage asset types (e.g. excavated and still buried archaeological features, standing monuments, natural reserves, burial mounds, paleo-channels) and respective scientific research objectives are presented: the Ostia-Portus area and the wider Province of Rome (Italy), the city of Wuhan and the Jiuzhaigou National Park (China), and the Siberian “Valley of the Kings” (Russia). Input data encompass both archive and newly tasked medium to very high-resolution imagery acquired over the last decade from satellite (e.g. Copernicus Sentinels and ESA Third Party Missions) and aerial (e.g. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, UAV) platforms, as well as field-based evidence and ground truth, auxiliary topographic data, Digital Elevation Models (DEM), and monitoring data from geodetic campaigns and networks. The novel results achieved for the use-cases contribute to the discussion on the advantages and limitations of optical and SAR-based archaeological and heritage applications aimed to detect buried and sub-surface archaeological assets across rural and semi-vegetated landscapes, identify threats to cultural heritage assets due to ground instability and urban development in large metropolises, and monitor post-disaster impacts in natural reserves

Loss of miR-107, miR-181c and miR-29a-3p promote activation of Notch2 signaling in pediatric high-grade gliomas (pHGGs)

The mechanisms by which microRNAs control pediatric high-grade gliomas (pHGGs) have yet to be fully elucidated. Our studies of patient-derived pHGG tissues and of the pHGG cell line KNS42 revealed down-regulation in these tumors of three microRNAs, specifically miR-107, miR-181c, and miR-29a-3p. This down-regulation increases the proliferation of KNS42 cells by de-repressing expression of the Notch2 receptor (Notch2), a validated target of miR-107 and miR-181c and a putative target of miR-29a-3p. Inhibition (either pharmacologic or genetic) of Notch2 or re-expression of the implicated microRNAs (all three combined but also individually) significantly reduced KNS42 cell proliferation. These findings suggest that Notch2 pathway activation plays a critical role in pHGGs growth and reveal a direct epigenetic mechanism that controls Notch2 expression, which could potentially be targeted by novel forms of therapy for these childhood tumors characterized by high-morbidity and high-mortality

Geoarchaeological mapping of medieval wetlands and their reclamation in the hinterland of Ravenna : two case studies from Massa Lombarda (RA) and Villafranca di Forlì (FC)

Three hand augering campaigns were carried out between 2018 and 2020 in the hinterland of Ravenna to gain new insights into the physical transformations that occurred in the area during the last 3000 years. Understanding these changes is crucial to be able to fully reconstruct past settlements patterns in alluvial landscapes, such as the lowlands around Ravenna. Based on known archaeological and geomorphological data, and historical sources available, six case studies were selected to carry out targeted geoarchaeological research. The paper introduces the main research questions behind these campaigns, the methodology used (hand augering), and the format of data recording for facilitating their future reuse. Finally, two case studies will be used to show the effectiveness of this approach in understanding landscape changes caused by alluvial phenomena, relying not only on archaeological data but also on stratigraphic markers (i.e. palaeosols) buried below the present-day ground. Thanks to this approach, targeted geoarchaeological research can quickly point out the main landscape changes caused by rivers avulsions and flooding processes. In particular, the first geological pieces of evidence will be presented on the existence of medieval wetlands in both areas of Massa Lombarda and Villafranca di Forlì in the Middle Ages, and their subsequent reclamation occurred around the 13th century CE

Geoarchaeological hand augering in the hinterland of Ravenna (2018-2020)

Three hand augering campaigns were carried out between 2018 and 2020 in the hinterland of Ravenna, within the doctoral research of the executor, to gain new insights into the physical transformations that occurred in the last 3000 years. Based on known archaeological and geomorphological data, and historical sources available, six case studies were selected to carry out targeted geoarchaeological research. The research was successful in understanding landscape changes caused by alluvial phenomena, including rivers avulsions and flooding processes, which often led to the reclamation of pre-modern marshlands

A capital between lands and waters : reconstructing the evolution of the alluvial landscape around Ravenna through digital and field geoarchaeology

The thesis studies the geomorphological transformations that have occurred in the hinterland of Ravenna in the last three millennia by employing a combination of digital and field geoarchaeological approaches to understand how landscape transformations have influenced and have been influenced by human-environment relationships. The study area, corresponding to the southeastern portion of the Po Valley, has undergone intense changes that have led to the burial of palaeosurfaces and associated archaeological sites. Human actions have also intensified these natural processes via extensive land reclamation. Thus, strong geomorphological biases hinder the reconstruction of past settlement patterns. To shed light on the evolution of this highly dynamic floodplain landscape, I employed a multidisciplinary and multiscale approach combining scientific data with interpretations of historical and cartographic sources. After an introductory part on the geomorphological configuration and the historical-archaeological dynamics of the study area, six chapters follow, each focusing on a methodological application, related datasets created/employed and the results obtained. The methodologies are geomorphometric analysis, remote sensing, discussion of cartographic and medieval written sources, analysis of archaeological data, collection and interpretation of geoarchaeological data, and data integration for palaeoDEM modelling. Although these methodologies have been treated separately, the knowledge that each one generated gradually adds up to the previous ones to shed light on the transformations that have taken place in the study area. From a methodological point of view, for the first time established approaches were applied systematically over the entire study area, leading to the mapping of hundreds of fluvial remains, several abandoned medieval fortified sites, and possible traces of unique field systems of various chronologies. In addition, I was able to shed light on the land reclamation process in the area, proving that it began as early as the Middle Ages and continued into the 20th century CE. At the same time, all the collected data were used to push the limits of palaeoDEM modelling applied to an extensive and biased context, testing a strategy to improve further the results obtained. In this way, it was possible to create models of the archaeological potential and palaeogeographical maps for four different chronological periods. Finally, revised and newly acquired knowledge abled me to rewrite a geoarchaeological history of the rivers flowing through the hinterland of Ravenna, the real pivot of the vicissitudes of this territory. Through the evidence of rectification, reclamation and natural and non-natural avulsions, it is possible to understand very well the impact that local communities have had in shaping the current landscape.De scriptie bestudeert de geomorfologische transformaties die de afgelopen drie millennia hebben plaatsgevonden in het achterland van Ravenna door middel van een combinatie van geoarcheologische benaderingen, zowel digitaal als in het veld, om te begrijpen hoe landschapstransformaties van invloed zijn geweest op de mens-milieu relaties en andersom. Het onderzoeksgebied, dat overeenkomt met het zuidoostelijke deel van de Po-vlakte, heeft intense veranderingen ondergaan die hebben geleid tot de begraving van paleobodems en bijbehorende archeologische sites. Menselijke handelingen hebben deze natuurlijke processen ook versterkt via uitgebreide landontginning. Sterke geomorfologische transformaties hinderen dus de reconstructie van de nederzettingspatronen uit het verleden. Om licht te werpen op de evolutie van dit zeer dynamische overstromingsvlakkelandschap, gebruikte ik een multidisciplinaire en multischalige aanpak waarbij wetenschappelijke gegevens werden gecombineerd met interpretaties van historische en cartografische bronnen. Na een inleidend deel over de geomorfologische configuratie en de historisch-archeologische dynamiek van het onderzoeksgebied, er volgen zes hoofdstukken, elk met de focus op een methodologische toepassing, gerelateerde datasets die zijn gemaakt/gebruikt, en de verkregen resultaten. De methodologieën zijn geomorfometrische analyse, remote sensing, bespreking van cartografische en middeleeuwse geschreven bronnen, analyse van archeologische gegevens, verzameling en interpretatie van geoarcheologische gegevens en integratie van gegevens voor palaeoDEM-modellering. Hoewel deze methodologieën afzonderlijk zijn behandeld, draagt de kennis die elk heeft gegenereerd geleidelijk bij aan de vorige om licht te werpen op de transformaties die hebben plaatsgevonden in het onderzoeksgebied. Vanuit methodologisch oogpunt werden voor het eerst gevestigde benaderingen systematisch toegepast over het hele onderzoeksgebied. Dit heeft geleid tot het in kaart brengen van honderden fluviale overblijfselen, verschillende verlaten middeleeuwse versterkte sites en mogelijke sporen van unieke veldsystemen van verschillende chronologieën. Bovendien slaagde ik erin om licht te werpen op het landontginningsproces in het gebied, waarbij werd aangetoond dat het al in de middeleeuwen begon en doorging tot in de 20e eeuw van de gangbare jaartelling. Tegelijkertijd werden alle verzamelde gegevens gebruikt om de grenzen van palaeoDEM-modellering toegepast op een breed en complex territoriaal kader te verleggen. Hierbij werd een strategie getest om de verkregen resultaten verder te verbeteren. Op deze manier was het mogelijk om modellen te maken van het archeologische potentieel en paleogeografische kaarten voor vier verschillende chronologische perioden. Uiteindelijk heeft herziene en nieuw verworven kennis me in staat gesteld om een geoarcheologische geschiedenis van de rivieren die door het achterland van Ravenna stromen te herschrijven, het ware middelpunt van de wisselvalligheden van dit gebied. Aan de hand van bewijs van rechtzetting, inpoldering en natuurlijke en niet-natuurlijke afsnijdingen, is het mogelijk om heel goed te begrijpen welke invloed lokale gemeenschappen hebben gehad op de vormgeving van het huidige landschap