In this study, we use high-resolution data from airborne Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) acqu... more In this study, we use high-resolution data from airborne Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) acquisitions to comprehensively analyse late prehistoric earthwork structures in the alluvial plain of Friuli (NE Italy). By comparing LiDAR-derived models with direct topographic surveys of the structures carried out in the past we provide a detailed overview of the main characteristics of the structures. The new documentation, including Digital Terrain Models (DTMs), profiles and 3D models of the preserved structures, refines the topographic information collected by previous scholars and offers new insights into the development of sophisticated building techniques by Bronze Age communities. Additionally, by converting earthwork volumes into energetics and combining workforce investment analysis with other archaeological proxies—particularly site size and distribution—we have supported the analysis of settlement patterns and organization. Assuming 100 hypothetical full-time workers, the construction of burial mounds would have required from 1 week to 2 months; phase 3 monumental embankments at Sedegliano, Savalons, and Galleriano forts would have taken 4-10 months while 2.5-4 years at Udine. The Udine mound would have demanded up to 28 times the labour needed for other forts’ embankments, requiring approximately 11 years to complete and likely necessitating additional workforce from nearby settlements. This approach reveals the emergence of a defined hierarchical settlement system in the Friuli plain during the Recent Bronze Age, with the fort of Udine serving as a top-order settlement within a polity of smaller ones, akin to those recognized in the nearby regions of the Po Plain.
PNAS, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 2015
An interdisciplinary study of the archaeological landscape of the
Trieste area (northeastern Ital... more An interdisciplinary study of the archaeological landscape of the Trieste area (northeastern Italy), mainly based on airborne light detection and ranging (LiDAR), ground penetrating radar (GPR), and archaeological surveys, has led to the discovery of an early Roman fortification system, composed of a big central camp (San Rocco) flanked by two minor forts. The most ancient archaeological findings, including a Greco–Italic amphora rim produced in Latium or Campania, provide a relative chronology for the first installation of the structures between the end of the third century B.C. and the first decades of the second century B.C. whereas other materials, such as Lamboglia 2 amphorae and a military footwear hobnail (type D of Alesia), indicate that they maintained a strategic role at least up to the mid first century B.C. According to archaeological data and literary sources, the sites were probably established in connection with the Roman conquest of the Istria peninsula in 178–177 B.C. They were in use, perhaps not continuously, at least until the foundation of Tergeste, the ancestor of Trieste, in the mid first century B.C. The San Rocco site, with its exceptional size and imposing fortifications, is the main known Roman evidence of the Trieste area during this phase and could correspond to the location of the first settlement of Tergeste preceding the colony foundation. This hypothesis would also be supported by literary sources that describe it as a phrourion (Strabo, V, 1, 9, C 215), a term used by ancient writers to designate the fortifications of the Roman army.
In the last two decades, the analysis of data derived from LiDAR (light detection and ranging) te... more In the last two decades, the analysis of data derived from LiDAR (light detection and ranging) technology has dramatically changed the investigation and documentation of past cultural landscapes, sometimes revealing monumental architectures and settlement systems totally unknown before. Despite the exponential uptick of case studies, an extensive review of LiDAR applications in archaeology is so far missing. Here, we present a systematic survey of works published in international journals in 2001–2022, with the aim of providing an annotated bibliography on the theme and collect quantitative information about each case study. Data collected allowed to analyse the geographic distribution of LiDAR-based studies, the specifics of acquisitions, the topography and vegetation cover of each study area, the characteristics of the material culture detected, major goals and integrated techniques. The survey considers 291 studies, of which 167 located in Europe, 104 in the Americas and only 20 between Asia, Middle East, Oceania and Africa. Our analysis shows that the impact of LiDAR in archaeological studies was greater in some areas of Europe and North America, where scholars could rely on the availability of open data provided by the institutions. This is testified by the higher number of both case studies and large-scale projects investigating these regions. It also emerges that LiDAR potential largely depends on the characteristics of the material culture, the vegetation cover and data resolution. These factors underlie the outstanding results achieved through LiDAR in tropical rainforests compared to those obtained in temperate areas, such as the Mediterranean, where the outcropping archaeological evidence, albeit vast and widespread, is generally less preserved and obscured by the dense vegetation of the Mediterranean maquis. We conclude that the increasing availability of LiDAR data over vast areas could lead to enormous advances in the investigation, monitoring and protection of the cultural heritage.
Prehistoric monuments often constitute evident landmarks and sometimes, after falling into disuse... more Prehistoric monuments often constitute evident landmarks and sometimes, after falling into disuse, fascinated local people enough to stimulate speculations about their origin over time. According to legend, the Hill of Udine (NE Italy) was built by Attila the Hun’s soldiers, but its origin (natural or anthropogenic) has been debated until now. Our research analyzed five new 40-m long stratigraphic cores, investigating for the first time the total thickness of the hill and compared the data with the available archaeological information. Moreover, we considered other hills and mounds in northern Italy and other European regions where folklore traditions relate their origin to Attila. The geoarchaeological and ethnographic data prove that the Hill of Udine is a Bronze Age anthropogenic mound erected between 1400–1150 BCE and that, later, folklore has transformed the ancestral memory of its origin into legend. By measuring 30 m in height and over 400,000 m3 in volume, the flat-topped hill is the largest prehistoric mound in Europe. This discovery reveals unprecedented skills in earth construction and confirms significant anthropogenic modifications of the environment during Bronze Age.
Depositional and erosional processes, subsidence and sea-level changes have strongly modified the... more Depositional and erosional processes, subsidence and sea-level changes have strongly modified the coastal landscape of northern Adriatic lagoons. Such rapid transformations have induced significant consequences on human settlements and, thus, on the archaeological visibility of the area, still largely unexplored.
We present here six metal swords fortuitously retrieved by fishermen over the last decades in front of the barrier islands of the Marano Lagoon (north-eastern Italy). Multi-analytical analyses carried out on the artefacts (X-ray radiography and computed micro-tomography, radiocarbon dating and typo-chronology) combined with the study of the coastal paleo-environment (mainly based on historical cartography and remote sensing) allowed to define the items’ main features and shed light on the historical importance of the area and the significant morphological changes, which occurred in the area over the last millennium.
Data presented indicate the Marano Lagoon as a major hub in the northern Adriatic in the Late Middle Ages during the crucial period of the Crusades, and in early modern times, connecting inland Europe with the Mediterranean Sea. Moreover, the research highlights the onset of coastal erosion occurred in the last century after a phase of relatively geomorphic stability, possibly deriving from the intensification of human impact and climate change.
RIASSUNTO Nell'età del Bronzo la media pianura della destra Tagliamento e la bassa pianura udines... more RIASSUNTO Nell'età del Bronzo la media pianura della destra Tagliamento e la bassa pianura udinese sembrano presentare dinamiche di frequentazione analoghe: in Bronzo Antico e Medio le tracce insediative sono ancora estremamente scarse, ma la distribuzione dei bronzi sporadici mostra l'attivazione di percorsi su tutta la pianura. Nel Bronzo Recente l'insediamento si diffonde fittamente sull'intera area, con allineamenti lungo dossi fluviali. Il fenomeno si esaurisce già nell'ultima fase del Bronzo Recente.
The paper presents a group of four, approximately 0.5m large, stone disks from entrances or cemet... more The paper presents a group of four, approximately 0.5m large, stone disks from entrances or cemeteries of two protohistoric hillforts of northeastern Adriatic. The disks, having a sparse chronology with the exception of one dated to the Middle Bronze Age, show flat and plain surfaces or covered with sub-circular depressions. One disk shows two larger cup-marks at the centre of both faces. They are interpreted as ritual artefacts based on the association with sacred settlement locations and comparisons with similar coeval stones found mainly close to citadel entrances, burials and thresholds in the Aegean area and Anatolia.
This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY
Recent investigations at Grociana piccola, a site in northeastern Italy consisting of two subrect... more Recent investigations at Grociana piccola, a site in northeastern Italy consisting of two subrectangular fortifications, offer the rare opportunity to investigate Early Roman military architecture outside the Iberian peninsula. Excavations have revealed an inner rubble masonry rampart dated to the 2nd c. BCE by associated pottery, mainly amphora remains. This date suggests that the fortification was in use during the first Roman conquest and/or later campaigns of the 2nd c. BCE, providing one of the earliest and smallest examples of a military fort. The fort's ramparts were built using the same building technique as much larger 2nd-c. BCE military camps. Another trench uncovered the northeastern corner of the outer rampart and a probable tower or artillery platform which can be connected to a temporary camp built during the mid-1st c. BCE.
The extensive investigation carried out in recent years at the UNESCO site of Al-Khutm (Ibri, Oma... more The extensive investigation carried out in recent years at the UNESCO site of Al-Khutm (Ibri, Oman) has allowed to uncover the monumental remains of a tower dated back to the third millennium BC and to collect an abundant ceramic assemblage from the associated soil deposits. Eighteen selected pottery samples have been investigated using a multi-analytical approach including microfocus X-ray computed tomography, X-ray diffraction, optical microscopy and prompt gamma activation analysis to analyse the vessel-forming technique and to characterise their micro-structure, mineralogical and chemical composition to recognise possible local vs. non-local raw materials. The results provided new insights on ancient manufacturing processes and revealed that most of the vessels were locally produced exploiting raw materials from the surroundings of the site with the exception of a fragment of a black slipped jar. The chemical results suggest that the latter was imported from the Indus area in nowadays Pakistan. This evidence integrates our knowledge about the presence of this type of vessels in Oman and confirms the involvement of inland centres like Bat and Al-Khutm into a large-scale exchange system.
The extensive investigation carried out between November 2017 and the end of January 2018 at the ... more The extensive investigation carried out between November 2017 and the end of January 2018 at the UNESCO site of Al-Khutm (Bat) has allowed us completely to expose an important tower dated back to the end of the third millennium BC. The excavation revealed the good state of preservation and monumentality of the complex, unique among the towers so far investigated in Oman. The tower was covered by a deposit of collapsed stones several metres deep, which had hidden the tower until recent times. Among the significant results of this season is the exposure of the tower wall reaching a height of c.4 m and a perimeter wall 2.3 m in height, surrounding the western side of the tower. The excavation has also revealed the presence of several structures located inside the tower, including a deep well found in the central corridor. The sloping profile of the substratum and the monumental architecture of both these structures testify to the monumentality of the tower. Preliminary analysis of stratigraphic data and associated pottery suggests dating the construction of the tower to the late Umm an-Nar period and to a second, Wadi Suq, period featured by constant rebuilding. The present article outlines the preliminary results of the two excavations seasons.
The Mompaderno cranium was found in 1883 at Baderna/Mompaderno in Croatian Istria. It was suspect... more The Mompaderno cranium was found in 1883 at Baderna/Mompaderno in Croatian Istria. It was suspected to date from the Mesolithic or eolithic period, but radiocarbon analyses, performed by accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) on collagen extracted from two teeth, have provided an age range of 2,202– 1928 cal. BC, which corresponds to the Early Bronze Age in the investigated region. Macroscopic observations and X-ray micro-tomography (micro-CT) of the cranium have shown antemortem sharp force trauma on the frontal bones, probably caused by a bronze axe, and a related osteomyelitis likely caused by an infection of the wound. The study has also revealed a previous depressed fracture and an osteolytic area interpreted as intradiploic meningioma. Results provide rare and earliest evidence of interpersonal violence in the northern Adriatic region.
Dall’Adriatico all’Egeo : scritti di protostoria in onore di Paola Càssola Guida / a cura di Elisabetta Borgna e Susi Corazza, 2020
Thanks to a systematic review of mid-'900 topographic researches and fresh data collected by surv... more Thanks to a systematic review of mid-'900 topographic researches and fresh data collected by surveys and excavations carried out in recent years by the University of Udine, it is now possible to outline a quite clear picture of the monumental landscape developed in the in the Friuli plain (north-eastern Italy). This is marked by the spread of numerous burial mounds erected, like in other regions of Europe, between the end of the III and the beginning of the II millennium B.C.. After the burial of an eminent member of the community, some of these structures appear to have been at times used as ceremonial centres for a long span of time, possibly well into the Middle-Late Bronze Age. Their final shaping partly overlapped the construction of the monumental earthwork ramparts which enclosed the earliest fortified long-lasting settlements of the upper Friuli plain, locally known as castellieri. This chronological overlap gave us the opportunity to explore the spatial relationship among these two types of features through the application of different GIS-based spatial analyses techniques, some of which carried out in a probabilistic framework. Our results allow to propose some non-alternative interpretations for the spread of burial mounds in the Friuli plain and to trace the existence of forms of territoriality, likely reflecting specific territorial strategies adopted by the proto-historic communities.
Archaeological and anthropological sciences 12, 2020
This paper presents the results of an international research aimed at investigating the ancient l... more This paper presents the results of an international research aimed at investigating the ancient landscape of the Mali Kras plateau, a sector of northern Istria (southwestern Slovenia). The remains of two main protohistoric hill forts, Mali Kras and Socerb, and a few minor sites were already reported from this area. A cemetery, associated with Socerb hill fort, was in use between the sixth century BC and the first century AD. Airborne LiDAR remote sensing of Mali Kras plateau has allowed to identify several unknown archaeological features, ranging from approximately square features (30 × 30 m) to larger enclosures with different shapes, very long linear features and stone mounds. The elaboration and digitization of high-definition remote sensing data compared with historical cartography, field surveys, targeted small-scale excavations and thermoluminescence dating have been performed in order to decode the complex archaeological palimpsest. The square structures can be attributed to Middle-Recent Bronze Age on the basis of pottery finds. These structures are located close to natural passages from the plateau to the gulf of Trieste, in areas with low visibility and scarcity of soil, which were traditionally used for grazing activities. The other identified enclosures, some of them sharing a similar chronology, were also probably used for pastoral activities but for other purposes since their shape and size are different. Two main long drystone walls define the southeastern sector of Mali Kras plateau in correspondence of the most accessible entrance to the area. The preliminary data and comparisons with similar structures suggest these walls could correspond to protohistoric linear boundaries built to delimit grazing or agricultural areas under direct control of the nearby settlements. The enclosures identified at Mali Kras plateau, most probably connected to herding activities, and perhaps the long linear walls too, could reflect the development of new husbandry practices in the Middle-Recent Bronze Age in the karst areas of the north Adriatic hinterland, such as observed in the alpine territory.
Similarly to other regions of Europe, the diffusion of burial mounds is well documented also in N... more Similarly to other regions of Europe, the diffusion of burial mounds is well documented also in North-Eastern Italy. Thanks to a systematic review of mid-'900 topographic researches and fresh data collected by surveys and excavations carried out by the University of Udine in recent years, we are now able to outline a quite clear picture of the monumental landscape marked by the presence of several burial tumuli, mostly dating to the Early Bronze Age. Some of these structures seem to have been used as ceremonial centres for a long span of time; over time they have been subject to change and transformation from burial places to pure landmarks, dividing territories or marking communication routes. The results of micromorphological analysis carried out on samples from the excavation of the burial mound of Mereto di Tomba, Udine, seem now to confirm that the monument was built over an open area possibly used for communal rites long before the burial deposition. It is therefore our intention to investigate systematically the spatial relationships between tumuli and the evidence of Copper Age occupation at a regional scale, with the aim of better understanding the origin of the tumuli phenomenon in the northern Adriatic regions. Furthermore several aspects concerning the spatial distribution of tumuli with respect to the Bronze Age fortified settlements will be also commented in order to explain the changing role of funerary behaviours in the human landscape.
Facies e culture nell’età del Bronzo italiana?, 2020
Our contribution discusses the archaeological variability of the Bronze Age within a sector of th... more Our contribution discusses the archaeological variability of the Bronze Age within a sector of the North-Eastern Adriatic regions (the so-called Caput Adriae). In the tradition of the protohistoric studies of this area the terms “culture” and “facies” have been so far largely used interchangeably. As independent protohistoric archaeologists mainly working in Friuli and the Trieste Karst, we here use the concept of facies as a heuristic tool to describe the archaeological variability of pottery traits through distribution analyses of significant types (e.g. handles). These distribution trends are subsequently compared with those of other relevant selected material classes, in order to trace possible “cultural” similarities and differences between selected classes of the material culture. We illustrate our modus operandi through the analysis of some pottery types that are widespread during the Bronze Age in the areas of the Friuli plain, Karst and Istria, and through the subsequent comparison between such distributions and that of some specific morphological features of settlement forms and burials. We focus on two periods, spanning from the Early to Middle Bronze Age (EBA2-MBA1/2) and from the later part of the Middle to the end of the Recent Bronze Age (MBA3-RBA2) respectively. Although the analysis is not systematic, inasmuch as it considers a limited sample of relevant contexts, it is nonetheless suitable to justify the empirical process we adopt provide some clues to describe the archaeological variability for the considered area and period. During the first period considered, the whole region witnesses the spread of the first long-lasting settlements, traditionally known as castellieri: in the Karst area and Istria they are generally located on hilltops and protected by dry-stone walls, whereas in the upper and middle plain of Friuli they are defended by earthwork ramparts. In this period, we see the emergence of a single pottery facies evidenced by the diffusion throughout the Karst, Istria and high Friuli plain of well-defined pottery types. At the same time, a number of other cultural aspects related to funerary practices, suggest strong links between the Karst and Istria communities and the Friuli ones. Noteworthy, among these are burials later covered by settlement fortifications or covered tumuli documented in both areas. The second period is characterized by the foundation of an unprecedented number of settlements, especially in the lower plain of Friuli, which however have been poorly documented so far. We recognize the emergence of local traits in pottery (different types of handles as well as decorations) which contribute to the formation of a local facies in Friuli, showing some relevant differences within it. Moreover, the influence of Karst-Istrian pottery traditions on Friuli is now limited to few pottery markers (such as the triangular forehead and the “a piastra” handle) and to other types not examined here. We conclude that the Isonzo-Torre rivers may have constituted the border strip between two different ceramic facies as from the late MBA. In this period, significant differences between the two areas, namely Friuli and Karst-Istria, can be envisaged also in the settlements forms and funerary customs, though the latter so far not documented in the Friuli area.
Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences , 2020
This paper presents the results of a research aimed at investigating by airborne LiDAR the ancien... more This paper presents the results of a research aimed at investigating by airborne LiDAR the ancient landscape of a sector of central northern Istria (Croatia) from prehistory to Roman times. The area, approximately corresponding to the territory of Oprtalj/ Portole, is located in a strategic position just north of the mid-Mirna/Quieto river, an important waterway connecting coastal Istria with the inlands since prehistory. The elaboration of high-definition LiDAR data compared with aerial and satellite images, historical cartography and field surveys allowed us to identify unreported prehistoric and Roman features and also get detailed topographic information about already known sites. Beside a few protohistoric hill forts discovered in the past, an open-air Neolithic or Copper Age site, a probable Bronze Age burial mound and three small protohistoric fortifications have been identified. These hill forts are clustered around a north-south valley, which represents a preferential access route from the larger Mirna valley to the karst plateau north of Oprtalj/Portole. In the same plateau, small Roman buildings associated with enclosures and probable artificial ponds have been interpreted as remains of farmsteads related to small-scale herding and agricultural activities. In the southern sector of the investigated area, consisting of marls, sandstones and fertile soils, large scatters of archaeological materials sometimes associated to outcropping features are probably the remains of larger structures characterized by a well-developed agricultural economy. Particularly interesting is the identification of fossil rectilinear land division features that overlap with the cardines of Istrian centuriation. Before our study, centuriation was identified only in the territories of Poreč/ Parenzo and Pula/Pola, hence believed not to extend beyond the Mirna river. The new evidence revealed by LiDAR and satellite images, however, shows that a large part of central and northern Istria, between the Mirna and the Dragonja rivers, was divided by the same grid. Based on these considerations, the archaeological evidence here presented makes the Istrian peninsula one of the largest areas in the entire Roman world to have undergone a single planned land division survey.
The extensive analysis of remote-sensed data (among which ALS-derived images) and fieldwork carri... more The extensive analysis of remote-sensed data (among which ALS-derived images) and fieldwork carried out in the Trieste Karst (N-E Italy) have shed light on archaeological landscapes largely unknown until recent years. The chronological definition of this complex palimpsest was based on the collection of findings associated to the archeological evidence, shape and orientation of detected structures and stratigraphic relations among features. This allowed to evaluate the interplay between landforms through time and to reconstruct some long-term economic strategies pursued by past communities. As a result, we present a 1:5000 map of the easternmost sector of the Trieste area, next to the border between Italy and Slovenia, approximately corresponding to the area of the map Carta Tecnica Regionale 'Grozzana'. The map aims at providing a tool for the protection of the cultural and environmental heritage, land use planning and touristic valorization of the area.
Proceedings of the Seminar for Arabian Studies 49 (2019): 85–96, 2019
The extensive investigation carried out between November 2017 and the end of January 2018 at the ... more The extensive investigation carried out between November 2017 and the end of January 2018 at the UNESCO site of Al-Khutm (Bat) has allowed us completely to expose an important tower dated back to the end of the third millennium BC. The excavation revealed the good state of preservation and monumentality of the complex, unique among the towers so far investigated in Oman. The tower was covered by a deposit of collapsed stones several metres deep, which had hidden the tower until recent times. Among the significant results of this season is the exposure of the tower wall reaching a height of c.4 m and a perimeter wall 2.3 m in height, surrounding the western side of the tower. The excavation has also revealed the presence of several structures located inside the tower, including a deep well found in the central corridor. The sloping profile of the substratum and the monumental architecture of both these structures testify to the monumentality of the tower. Preliminary analysis of stratigraphic data and associated pottery suggests dating the construction of the tower to the late Umm an-Nar period and to a second, Wadi Suq, period featured by constant rebuilding. The present article outlines the preliminary results of the two excavations seasons.
In this study, we use high-resolution data from airborne Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) acqu... more In this study, we use high-resolution data from airborne Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) acquisitions to comprehensively analyse late prehistoric earthwork structures in the alluvial plain of Friuli (NE Italy). By comparing LiDAR-derived models with direct topographic surveys of the structures carried out in the past we provide a detailed overview of the main characteristics of the structures. The new documentation, including Digital Terrain Models (DTMs), profiles and 3D models of the preserved structures, refines the topographic information collected by previous scholars and offers new insights into the development of sophisticated building techniques by Bronze Age communities. Additionally, by converting earthwork volumes into energetics and combining workforce investment analysis with other archaeological proxies—particularly site size and distribution—we have supported the analysis of settlement patterns and organization. Assuming 100 hypothetical full-time workers, the construction of burial mounds would have required from 1 week to 2 months; phase 3 monumental embankments at Sedegliano, Savalons, and Galleriano forts would have taken 4-10 months while 2.5-4 years at Udine. The Udine mound would have demanded up to 28 times the labour needed for other forts’ embankments, requiring approximately 11 years to complete and likely necessitating additional workforce from nearby settlements. This approach reveals the emergence of a defined hierarchical settlement system in the Friuli plain during the Recent Bronze Age, with the fort of Udine serving as a top-order settlement within a polity of smaller ones, akin to those recognized in the nearby regions of the Po Plain.
PNAS, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 2015
An interdisciplinary study of the archaeological landscape of the
Trieste area (northeastern Ital... more An interdisciplinary study of the archaeological landscape of the Trieste area (northeastern Italy), mainly based on airborne light detection and ranging (LiDAR), ground penetrating radar (GPR), and archaeological surveys, has led to the discovery of an early Roman fortification system, composed of a big central camp (San Rocco) flanked by two minor forts. The most ancient archaeological findings, including a Greco–Italic amphora rim produced in Latium or Campania, provide a relative chronology for the first installation of the structures between the end of the third century B.C. and the first decades of the second century B.C. whereas other materials, such as Lamboglia 2 amphorae and a military footwear hobnail (type D of Alesia), indicate that they maintained a strategic role at least up to the mid first century B.C. According to archaeological data and literary sources, the sites were probably established in connection with the Roman conquest of the Istria peninsula in 178–177 B.C. They were in use, perhaps not continuously, at least until the foundation of Tergeste, the ancestor of Trieste, in the mid first century B.C. The San Rocco site, with its exceptional size and imposing fortifications, is the main known Roman evidence of the Trieste area during this phase and could correspond to the location of the first settlement of Tergeste preceding the colony foundation. This hypothesis would also be supported by literary sources that describe it as a phrourion (Strabo, V, 1, 9, C 215), a term used by ancient writers to designate the fortifications of the Roman army.
In the last two decades, the analysis of data derived from LiDAR (light detection and ranging) te... more In the last two decades, the analysis of data derived from LiDAR (light detection and ranging) technology has dramatically changed the investigation and documentation of past cultural landscapes, sometimes revealing monumental architectures and settlement systems totally unknown before. Despite the exponential uptick of case studies, an extensive review of LiDAR applications in archaeology is so far missing. Here, we present a systematic survey of works published in international journals in 2001–2022, with the aim of providing an annotated bibliography on the theme and collect quantitative information about each case study. Data collected allowed to analyse the geographic distribution of LiDAR-based studies, the specifics of acquisitions, the topography and vegetation cover of each study area, the characteristics of the material culture detected, major goals and integrated techniques. The survey considers 291 studies, of which 167 located in Europe, 104 in the Americas and only 20 between Asia, Middle East, Oceania and Africa. Our analysis shows that the impact of LiDAR in archaeological studies was greater in some areas of Europe and North America, where scholars could rely on the availability of open data provided by the institutions. This is testified by the higher number of both case studies and large-scale projects investigating these regions. It also emerges that LiDAR potential largely depends on the characteristics of the material culture, the vegetation cover and data resolution. These factors underlie the outstanding results achieved through LiDAR in tropical rainforests compared to those obtained in temperate areas, such as the Mediterranean, where the outcropping archaeological evidence, albeit vast and widespread, is generally less preserved and obscured by the dense vegetation of the Mediterranean maquis. We conclude that the increasing availability of LiDAR data over vast areas could lead to enormous advances in the investigation, monitoring and protection of the cultural heritage.
Prehistoric monuments often constitute evident landmarks and sometimes, after falling into disuse... more Prehistoric monuments often constitute evident landmarks and sometimes, after falling into disuse, fascinated local people enough to stimulate speculations about their origin over time. According to legend, the Hill of Udine (NE Italy) was built by Attila the Hun’s soldiers, but its origin (natural or anthropogenic) has been debated until now. Our research analyzed five new 40-m long stratigraphic cores, investigating for the first time the total thickness of the hill and compared the data with the available archaeological information. Moreover, we considered other hills and mounds in northern Italy and other European regions where folklore traditions relate their origin to Attila. The geoarchaeological and ethnographic data prove that the Hill of Udine is a Bronze Age anthropogenic mound erected between 1400–1150 BCE and that, later, folklore has transformed the ancestral memory of its origin into legend. By measuring 30 m in height and over 400,000 m3 in volume, the flat-topped hill is the largest prehistoric mound in Europe. This discovery reveals unprecedented skills in earth construction and confirms significant anthropogenic modifications of the environment during Bronze Age.
Depositional and erosional processes, subsidence and sea-level changes have strongly modified the... more Depositional and erosional processes, subsidence and sea-level changes have strongly modified the coastal landscape of northern Adriatic lagoons. Such rapid transformations have induced significant consequences on human settlements and, thus, on the archaeological visibility of the area, still largely unexplored.
We present here six metal swords fortuitously retrieved by fishermen over the last decades in front of the barrier islands of the Marano Lagoon (north-eastern Italy). Multi-analytical analyses carried out on the artefacts (X-ray radiography and computed micro-tomography, radiocarbon dating and typo-chronology) combined with the study of the coastal paleo-environment (mainly based on historical cartography and remote sensing) allowed to define the items’ main features and shed light on the historical importance of the area and the significant morphological changes, which occurred in the area over the last millennium.
Data presented indicate the Marano Lagoon as a major hub in the northern Adriatic in the Late Middle Ages during the crucial period of the Crusades, and in early modern times, connecting inland Europe with the Mediterranean Sea. Moreover, the research highlights the onset of coastal erosion occurred in the last century after a phase of relatively geomorphic stability, possibly deriving from the intensification of human impact and climate change.
RIASSUNTO Nell'età del Bronzo la media pianura della destra Tagliamento e la bassa pianura udines... more RIASSUNTO Nell'età del Bronzo la media pianura della destra Tagliamento e la bassa pianura udinese sembrano presentare dinamiche di frequentazione analoghe: in Bronzo Antico e Medio le tracce insediative sono ancora estremamente scarse, ma la distribuzione dei bronzi sporadici mostra l'attivazione di percorsi su tutta la pianura. Nel Bronzo Recente l'insediamento si diffonde fittamente sull'intera area, con allineamenti lungo dossi fluviali. Il fenomeno si esaurisce già nell'ultima fase del Bronzo Recente.
The paper presents a group of four, approximately 0.5m large, stone disks from entrances or cemet... more The paper presents a group of four, approximately 0.5m large, stone disks from entrances or cemeteries of two protohistoric hillforts of northeastern Adriatic. The disks, having a sparse chronology with the exception of one dated to the Middle Bronze Age, show flat and plain surfaces or covered with sub-circular depressions. One disk shows two larger cup-marks at the centre of both faces. They are interpreted as ritual artefacts based on the association with sacred settlement locations and comparisons with similar coeval stones found mainly close to citadel entrances, burials and thresholds in the Aegean area and Anatolia.
This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY
Recent investigations at Grociana piccola, a site in northeastern Italy consisting of two subrect... more Recent investigations at Grociana piccola, a site in northeastern Italy consisting of two subrectangular fortifications, offer the rare opportunity to investigate Early Roman military architecture outside the Iberian peninsula. Excavations have revealed an inner rubble masonry rampart dated to the 2nd c. BCE by associated pottery, mainly amphora remains. This date suggests that the fortification was in use during the first Roman conquest and/or later campaigns of the 2nd c. BCE, providing one of the earliest and smallest examples of a military fort. The fort's ramparts were built using the same building technique as much larger 2nd-c. BCE military camps. Another trench uncovered the northeastern corner of the outer rampart and a probable tower or artillery platform which can be connected to a temporary camp built during the mid-1st c. BCE.
The extensive investigation carried out in recent years at the UNESCO site of Al-Khutm (Ibri, Oma... more The extensive investigation carried out in recent years at the UNESCO site of Al-Khutm (Ibri, Oman) has allowed to uncover the monumental remains of a tower dated back to the third millennium BC and to collect an abundant ceramic assemblage from the associated soil deposits. Eighteen selected pottery samples have been investigated using a multi-analytical approach including microfocus X-ray computed tomography, X-ray diffraction, optical microscopy and prompt gamma activation analysis to analyse the vessel-forming technique and to characterise their micro-structure, mineralogical and chemical composition to recognise possible local vs. non-local raw materials. The results provided new insights on ancient manufacturing processes and revealed that most of the vessels were locally produced exploiting raw materials from the surroundings of the site with the exception of a fragment of a black slipped jar. The chemical results suggest that the latter was imported from the Indus area in nowadays Pakistan. This evidence integrates our knowledge about the presence of this type of vessels in Oman and confirms the involvement of inland centres like Bat and Al-Khutm into a large-scale exchange system.
The extensive investigation carried out between November 2017 and the end of January 2018 at the ... more The extensive investigation carried out between November 2017 and the end of January 2018 at the UNESCO site of Al-Khutm (Bat) has allowed us completely to expose an important tower dated back to the end of the third millennium BC. The excavation revealed the good state of preservation and monumentality of the complex, unique among the towers so far investigated in Oman. The tower was covered by a deposit of collapsed stones several metres deep, which had hidden the tower until recent times. Among the significant results of this season is the exposure of the tower wall reaching a height of c.4 m and a perimeter wall 2.3 m in height, surrounding the western side of the tower. The excavation has also revealed the presence of several structures located inside the tower, including a deep well found in the central corridor. The sloping profile of the substratum and the monumental architecture of both these structures testify to the monumentality of the tower. Preliminary analysis of stratigraphic data and associated pottery suggests dating the construction of the tower to the late Umm an-Nar period and to a second, Wadi Suq, period featured by constant rebuilding. The present article outlines the preliminary results of the two excavations seasons.
The Mompaderno cranium was found in 1883 at Baderna/Mompaderno in Croatian Istria. It was suspect... more The Mompaderno cranium was found in 1883 at Baderna/Mompaderno in Croatian Istria. It was suspected to date from the Mesolithic or eolithic period, but radiocarbon analyses, performed by accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) on collagen extracted from two teeth, have provided an age range of 2,202– 1928 cal. BC, which corresponds to the Early Bronze Age in the investigated region. Macroscopic observations and X-ray micro-tomography (micro-CT) of the cranium have shown antemortem sharp force trauma on the frontal bones, probably caused by a bronze axe, and a related osteomyelitis likely caused by an infection of the wound. The study has also revealed a previous depressed fracture and an osteolytic area interpreted as intradiploic meningioma. Results provide rare and earliest evidence of interpersonal violence in the northern Adriatic region.
Dall’Adriatico all’Egeo : scritti di protostoria in onore di Paola Càssola Guida / a cura di Elisabetta Borgna e Susi Corazza, 2020
Thanks to a systematic review of mid-'900 topographic researches and fresh data collected by surv... more Thanks to a systematic review of mid-'900 topographic researches and fresh data collected by surveys and excavations carried out in recent years by the University of Udine, it is now possible to outline a quite clear picture of the monumental landscape developed in the in the Friuli plain (north-eastern Italy). This is marked by the spread of numerous burial mounds erected, like in other regions of Europe, between the end of the III and the beginning of the II millennium B.C.. After the burial of an eminent member of the community, some of these structures appear to have been at times used as ceremonial centres for a long span of time, possibly well into the Middle-Late Bronze Age. Their final shaping partly overlapped the construction of the monumental earthwork ramparts which enclosed the earliest fortified long-lasting settlements of the upper Friuli plain, locally known as castellieri. This chronological overlap gave us the opportunity to explore the spatial relationship among these two types of features through the application of different GIS-based spatial analyses techniques, some of which carried out in a probabilistic framework. Our results allow to propose some non-alternative interpretations for the spread of burial mounds in the Friuli plain and to trace the existence of forms of territoriality, likely reflecting specific territorial strategies adopted by the proto-historic communities.
Archaeological and anthropological sciences 12, 2020
This paper presents the results of an international research aimed at investigating the ancient l... more This paper presents the results of an international research aimed at investigating the ancient landscape of the Mali Kras plateau, a sector of northern Istria (southwestern Slovenia). The remains of two main protohistoric hill forts, Mali Kras and Socerb, and a few minor sites were already reported from this area. A cemetery, associated with Socerb hill fort, was in use between the sixth century BC and the first century AD. Airborne LiDAR remote sensing of Mali Kras plateau has allowed to identify several unknown archaeological features, ranging from approximately square features (30 × 30 m) to larger enclosures with different shapes, very long linear features and stone mounds. The elaboration and digitization of high-definition remote sensing data compared with historical cartography, field surveys, targeted small-scale excavations and thermoluminescence dating have been performed in order to decode the complex archaeological palimpsest. The square structures can be attributed to Middle-Recent Bronze Age on the basis of pottery finds. These structures are located close to natural passages from the plateau to the gulf of Trieste, in areas with low visibility and scarcity of soil, which were traditionally used for grazing activities. The other identified enclosures, some of them sharing a similar chronology, were also probably used for pastoral activities but for other purposes since their shape and size are different. Two main long drystone walls define the southeastern sector of Mali Kras plateau in correspondence of the most accessible entrance to the area. The preliminary data and comparisons with similar structures suggest these walls could correspond to protohistoric linear boundaries built to delimit grazing or agricultural areas under direct control of the nearby settlements. The enclosures identified at Mali Kras plateau, most probably connected to herding activities, and perhaps the long linear walls too, could reflect the development of new husbandry practices in the Middle-Recent Bronze Age in the karst areas of the north Adriatic hinterland, such as observed in the alpine territory.
Similarly to other regions of Europe, the diffusion of burial mounds is well documented also in N... more Similarly to other regions of Europe, the diffusion of burial mounds is well documented also in North-Eastern Italy. Thanks to a systematic review of mid-'900 topographic researches and fresh data collected by surveys and excavations carried out by the University of Udine in recent years, we are now able to outline a quite clear picture of the monumental landscape marked by the presence of several burial tumuli, mostly dating to the Early Bronze Age. Some of these structures seem to have been used as ceremonial centres for a long span of time; over time they have been subject to change and transformation from burial places to pure landmarks, dividing territories or marking communication routes. The results of micromorphological analysis carried out on samples from the excavation of the burial mound of Mereto di Tomba, Udine, seem now to confirm that the monument was built over an open area possibly used for communal rites long before the burial deposition. It is therefore our intention to investigate systematically the spatial relationships between tumuli and the evidence of Copper Age occupation at a regional scale, with the aim of better understanding the origin of the tumuli phenomenon in the northern Adriatic regions. Furthermore several aspects concerning the spatial distribution of tumuli with respect to the Bronze Age fortified settlements will be also commented in order to explain the changing role of funerary behaviours in the human landscape.
Facies e culture nell’età del Bronzo italiana?, 2020
Our contribution discusses the archaeological variability of the Bronze Age within a sector of th... more Our contribution discusses the archaeological variability of the Bronze Age within a sector of the North-Eastern Adriatic regions (the so-called Caput Adriae). In the tradition of the protohistoric studies of this area the terms “culture” and “facies” have been so far largely used interchangeably. As independent protohistoric archaeologists mainly working in Friuli and the Trieste Karst, we here use the concept of facies as a heuristic tool to describe the archaeological variability of pottery traits through distribution analyses of significant types (e.g. handles). These distribution trends are subsequently compared with those of other relevant selected material classes, in order to trace possible “cultural” similarities and differences between selected classes of the material culture. We illustrate our modus operandi through the analysis of some pottery types that are widespread during the Bronze Age in the areas of the Friuli plain, Karst and Istria, and through the subsequent comparison between such distributions and that of some specific morphological features of settlement forms and burials. We focus on two periods, spanning from the Early to Middle Bronze Age (EBA2-MBA1/2) and from the later part of the Middle to the end of the Recent Bronze Age (MBA3-RBA2) respectively. Although the analysis is not systematic, inasmuch as it considers a limited sample of relevant contexts, it is nonetheless suitable to justify the empirical process we adopt provide some clues to describe the archaeological variability for the considered area and period. During the first period considered, the whole region witnesses the spread of the first long-lasting settlements, traditionally known as castellieri: in the Karst area and Istria they are generally located on hilltops and protected by dry-stone walls, whereas in the upper and middle plain of Friuli they are defended by earthwork ramparts. In this period, we see the emergence of a single pottery facies evidenced by the diffusion throughout the Karst, Istria and high Friuli plain of well-defined pottery types. At the same time, a number of other cultural aspects related to funerary practices, suggest strong links between the Karst and Istria communities and the Friuli ones. Noteworthy, among these are burials later covered by settlement fortifications or covered tumuli documented in both areas. The second period is characterized by the foundation of an unprecedented number of settlements, especially in the lower plain of Friuli, which however have been poorly documented so far. We recognize the emergence of local traits in pottery (different types of handles as well as decorations) which contribute to the formation of a local facies in Friuli, showing some relevant differences within it. Moreover, the influence of Karst-Istrian pottery traditions on Friuli is now limited to few pottery markers (such as the triangular forehead and the “a piastra” handle) and to other types not examined here. We conclude that the Isonzo-Torre rivers may have constituted the border strip between two different ceramic facies as from the late MBA. In this period, significant differences between the two areas, namely Friuli and Karst-Istria, can be envisaged also in the settlements forms and funerary customs, though the latter so far not documented in the Friuli area.
Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences , 2020
This paper presents the results of a research aimed at investigating by airborne LiDAR the ancien... more This paper presents the results of a research aimed at investigating by airborne LiDAR the ancient landscape of a sector of central northern Istria (Croatia) from prehistory to Roman times. The area, approximately corresponding to the territory of Oprtalj/ Portole, is located in a strategic position just north of the mid-Mirna/Quieto river, an important waterway connecting coastal Istria with the inlands since prehistory. The elaboration of high-definition LiDAR data compared with aerial and satellite images, historical cartography and field surveys allowed us to identify unreported prehistoric and Roman features and also get detailed topographic information about already known sites. Beside a few protohistoric hill forts discovered in the past, an open-air Neolithic or Copper Age site, a probable Bronze Age burial mound and three small protohistoric fortifications have been identified. These hill forts are clustered around a north-south valley, which represents a preferential access route from the larger Mirna valley to the karst plateau north of Oprtalj/Portole. In the same plateau, small Roman buildings associated with enclosures and probable artificial ponds have been interpreted as remains of farmsteads related to small-scale herding and agricultural activities. In the southern sector of the investigated area, consisting of marls, sandstones and fertile soils, large scatters of archaeological materials sometimes associated to outcropping features are probably the remains of larger structures characterized by a well-developed agricultural economy. Particularly interesting is the identification of fossil rectilinear land division features that overlap with the cardines of Istrian centuriation. Before our study, centuriation was identified only in the territories of Poreč/ Parenzo and Pula/Pola, hence believed not to extend beyond the Mirna river. The new evidence revealed by LiDAR and satellite images, however, shows that a large part of central and northern Istria, between the Mirna and the Dragonja rivers, was divided by the same grid. Based on these considerations, the archaeological evidence here presented makes the Istrian peninsula one of the largest areas in the entire Roman world to have undergone a single planned land division survey.
The extensive analysis of remote-sensed data (among which ALS-derived images) and fieldwork carri... more The extensive analysis of remote-sensed data (among which ALS-derived images) and fieldwork carried out in the Trieste Karst (N-E Italy) have shed light on archaeological landscapes largely unknown until recent years. The chronological definition of this complex palimpsest was based on the collection of findings associated to the archeological evidence, shape and orientation of detected structures and stratigraphic relations among features. This allowed to evaluate the interplay between landforms through time and to reconstruct some long-term economic strategies pursued by past communities. As a result, we present a 1:5000 map of the easternmost sector of the Trieste area, next to the border between Italy and Slovenia, approximately corresponding to the area of the map Carta Tecnica Regionale 'Grozzana'. The map aims at providing a tool for the protection of the cultural and environmental heritage, land use planning and touristic valorization of the area.
Proceedings of the Seminar for Arabian Studies 49 (2019): 85–96, 2019
The extensive investigation carried out between November 2017 and the end of January 2018 at the ... more The extensive investigation carried out between November 2017 and the end of January 2018 at the UNESCO site of Al-Khutm (Bat) has allowed us completely to expose an important tower dated back to the end of the third millennium BC. The excavation revealed the good state of preservation and monumentality of the complex, unique among the towers so far investigated in Oman. The tower was covered by a deposit of collapsed stones several metres deep, which had hidden the tower until recent times. Among the significant results of this season is the exposure of the tower wall reaching a height of c.4 m and a perimeter wall 2.3 m in height, surrounding the western side of the tower. The excavation has also revealed the presence of several structures located inside the tower, including a deep well found in the central corridor. The sloping profile of the substratum and the monumental architecture of both these structures testify to the monumentality of the tower. Preliminary analysis of stratigraphic data and associated pottery suggests dating the construction of the tower to the late Umm an-Nar period and to a second, Wadi Suq, period featured by constant rebuilding. The present article outlines the preliminary results of the two excavations seasons.
This study focuses the landscape of the Friuli plain between the Tagliamento and the Torre-Isonzo... more This study focuses the landscape of the Friuli plain between the Tagliamento and the Torre-Isonzo rivers during the 2nd Mill. BC with the aim of enlightening the settlement forms and processes. The investigation has been carried out through the application of a wide range of methods including surface survey, geoarchaeological corings and the study of sample materials. The integration of all acquired data into a single GIS platform and the application of several spatio-statistical techniques have allowed to propose new explanations of the ongoing settlement processes for the period considered.
Il gruppo di lavoro coinvolto nel Programma Operativo del Fondo europeo di sviluppo regionale (PO... more Il gruppo di lavoro coinvolto nel Programma Operativo del Fondo europeo di sviluppo regionale (POR FSE 2014-2020) "Living history on the edge of the Lagoon: le oscillazioni del margine lagunare con tecnologie immersive per la fruizione del patrimonio culturale" del Dipartimento di Studi Umanistici di Ca' Foscari (Università di Venezia) organizza una Giornata di Studi incentrata sullo studio multidisciplinare dei paesaggi altoadriatici.
L'iniziativa, dal titolo: "PALINSESTI PROGRAMMATI NEL NORD ADRIATICO? Decifrare, conservare, comunicare e pianificare il paesaggio" si svolgerà a Venezia presso l'Aula Magna di Ca' Dolfin il 18 Aprile 2019.
Il gruppo mira a riprendere il confronto sul tema dei paesaggi del Nord Adriatico intesi come un palinsesto esito dell'interazione di lungo periodo tra uomo e ambiente. Nel corso della giornata verranno presentati alcuni casi di studio finalizzati ad avviare una discussione sulle metodologie e le tecniche per decifrare il palinsesto del paesaggio, le strategie di occupazione di lungo periodo e il legame tra lo studio dei paesaggi antichi e i giorni nostri (trasmissione dell'identità, tutela e valorizzazione del territorio, rischio idro-geologico e cambiamenti ambientali).
In the past two decades, airborne LiDAR technology has revolutionized archaeological prospecting ... more In the past two decades, airborne LiDAR technology has revolutionized archaeological prospecting in wooded areas (in particular in Central Europe, UK, Central America and Southeastern Asia), generally with outstanding results. On the contrary, Airborne LiDAR case studies in Mediterranean environments, whilst characterized by a significant overall woodland cover (about 45%) , are very few in number and often not very successful. Given the extraordinary archaeological articulation of the Mediterranean area and the diversity of the geomorphological settings-with particular reference to its coastal strips, this special issue is aimed to address the use and challenges of LiDAR technology to study under-canopy archaeology in the Mediterranean environment and to discuss possible solutions and perspectives.
Imprints-Tracing Late Prehistoric Environmental Impact in Southern Europe through Non/Low Invasiv... more Imprints-Tracing Late Prehistoric Environmental Impact in Southern Europe through Non/Low Invasive Methods Content: At a global scale, human-induced modifications on the environment appear to have been widespread from around 1000 BCE. However, especially in the Mediterranean, the environmental impact of late prehistoric societies has long been underestimated. Forest clearance, agricultural practices and grazing carried out in Southern Europe in the 2nd and 1st millennium BC had unprecedented and widespread effects on the long-term environmental dynamics, deeply modifying the vegetation cover, soils, and natural landforms. Prehistoric monuments, sometimes strongly degraded through millennia, are often a tangible product of these widespread anthropogenic activities. Overall, evidence of massive impact on the ecosystems is documented before Roman times by a growing number of studies. In the last years, several non or low invasive methods (e.g. GIS-modelling, remote sensing, surveys, corings, geophysics) combined with a wide range of analyses (e.g. radiocarbon, pollen, OSL, micromorphology, seda-DNA) have been increasingly used to trace the environmental impact on these landscapes. In many cases, these methods are affordable and suitable to produce high resolution and comparable data. To what extent and in which regions is it possible to detect major imprints of late prehistoric communities? Is it possible to track down unsustainable practices (e.g. replacement of species, extensive agriculture, fire activity?) that have consequences on landscape and settlement changes at specific regions? By delving into the environmental impact of late prehistoric societies, we not only enrich our understanding of the past, but also acquire valuable insights that can guide current environmental management and policy. Ultimately, this contributes to a more ecologically responsible and sustainable future. We aim to address these questions and issues by adopting a multi-proxy approach (including, but not limited to, geo-archaeological, GIS-based and statistical, palaeo-ecological) in order to detail and compare the magnitude of human impact in this crucial period across the Mediterranean region. Different scales of analysis are also very welcomed.
#420 EAA conference 2023
Belfast, 30 aug-2 sept
The Central Mediterranean represented a key area ... more #420 EAA conference 2023 Belfast, 30 aug-2 sept The Central Mediterranean represented a key area within the vast and unprecedented exchange network that defines the Mediterranean in the second part of the 2nd mill BC and that apparently ended around 1200 BC. It was recently argued that the 1200 BC was a turning point for many European societies and that the climatic event recorded in this period (3.2 Ka BP) in various parts of Europe triggered important socio-economic changes. In particular, the decades around this year corresponded to a period of dramatic shifts in the Central/North Mediterranean (e.g. abandonment and reorganization of settlement, new forms of social organization), supposedly influenced by environmental change/stress. For instance, a complex range of ecological, economic and social factors has been evoked for the disappearance of the North Italian Terramare Culture or settlements of the Po Plain. However, many other regions deserve the same attention and the hypothesis of an environmental ‘crisis’ in this area still needs more robust evidence. To what extent/ the 3.2 Ka BP event – if so – impact on the Central Mediterranean Late Bronze Age communities? Is it possible to detect adaptive responses (social, economic) to environmental changes at regional or lower level? Is it possible to detect short catastrophic events (e.g. frequent flooding, droughts)? Could have changes been induced or amplified by the widespread anthropogenic modifications on the ecosystems documented from around this period, through unsustainable practices (e.g. replacement of species, extensive agriculture, fire activity?). In this session we address these questions with a multi-proxy approach (including, but not limited to, geo-archaeological, GIS-based and statistical, paleo-ecological, demographic) in order to compare archaeological evidence, landscape and environmental changes occurred around 1200 BC with possible shifts in the settlement forms and patterns or economic strategies. Different scale of analysis (site-based, cluster of sites, regional) are very welcomed. Keywords: Late Bronze Age, Central Mediterranean, 1200 BC ‘crisis’, Environmental and Cultural Change, Landscape, Climate and Society
Archaeological research now leverages advanced computational tools such as remote sensing, GIS sp... more Archaeological research now leverages advanced computational tools such as remote sensing, GIS spatial analyses, predictive modelling, and agent-based modelling alongside traditional laboratory and fieldwork techniques. In parallel, integrated palaeoecological studies employ diverse disciplines and proxies to investigate landscape change across long timescales. These approaches encompass the analysis of pollen, non-pollen palynomorphs, sedimentology, geochemistry, charcoal, biomarkers, and sedimentary DNA. By integrating archaeological and palaeoecological data from on-site, site periphery (near-to-site), and off-site sequences, this session aims to provide insights into land use and land cover changes, revealing long-term landscape dynamics. Particular emphasis will be placed on changes in the structural and inherent characteristics of landscapes (geological, geomorphic, ecological, etc.) and the dynamic interactions between human communities and their environments. This approach will shed light on cycles of stability and change, as well as the historical trajectories of landscape evolution. To address these complex interactions, we draw upon a wide array of methodologies. This multi-scale, computationally enhanced approach not only aims to reconstruct past environments but also to propose sustainable land management practices today. By highlighting innovative methodologies and their practical applications, this session aims to advance research in environmental archaeology, historical ecology, and sustainable landscape management.
Archaeological research now leverages advanced computational tools such as remote sensing, GIS sp... more Archaeological research now leverages advanced computational tools such as remote sensing, GIS spatial analyses, predictive modelling, and agent-based modelling alongside traditional laboratory and fieldwork techniques. In parallel, integrated palaeoecological studies employ diverse disciplines and proxies to investigate landscape change across long timescales. These approaches encompass the analysis of pollen, non-pollen palynomorphs, sedimentology, geochemistry, charcoal, biomarkers, and sedimentary DNA. By integrating archaeological and palaeoecological data from on-site, site periphery (near-to-site), and off-site sequences, this session aims to provide insights into land use and land cover changes, revealing long-term landscape dynamics. Particular emphasis will be placed on changes in the structural and inherent characteristics of landscapes (geological, geomorphic, ecological, etc.) and the dynamic interactions between human communities and their environments. This approach will shed light on cycles of stability and change, as well as the historical trajectories of landscape evolution. To address these complex interactions, we draw upon a wide array of methodologies. This multi-scale, computationally enhanced approach not only aims to reconstruct past environments but also to propose sustainable land management practices today. By highlighting innovative methodologies and their practical applications, this session aims to advance research in environmental archaeology, historical ecology, and sustainable landscape management.
The Central Mediterranean represented a key area within the vast and
unprecedented exchange netwo... more The Central Mediterranean represented a key area within the vast and unprecedented exchange network that defines the Mediterranean in the second part of the 2nd mill BC and that apparently ended around 1200 BC. To what extent the 3.2 Ka BP event – if so – impact on the Central Mediterranean Late Bronze Age communities? Is it possible to detect adaptive responses to environmental changes at regional or lower level? Is it possible to detect short catastrophic events? Could have changes been induced or amplified by the widespread anthropogenic modifications on the ecosystems documented from around this period, through unsustainable practices? In this session we address these questions with a multi-proxy approach in order to compare archaeological evidence, landscape and environmental changes occurred around 1200 BC with possible shifts in the settlement forms and patterns or economic strategies. Different scale of analysis are very welcomed.
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Papers by Giacomo Vinci
By comparing LiDAR-derived models with direct topographic surveys of the structures carried out in the past we provide a detailed overview of the main characteristics of the structures. The new documentation, including Digital Terrain Models (DTMs), profiles and 3D models of the preserved structures, refines the topographic information collected by previous scholars and offers new insights into the development of sophisticated building techniques by Bronze Age communities. Additionally, by converting earthwork volumes into energetics and combining workforce investment analysis with other archaeological proxies—particularly site size and distribution—we have supported the analysis of settlement patterns and organization.
Assuming 100 hypothetical full-time workers, the construction of burial mounds would have required from 1 week to 2 months; phase 3 monumental embankments at Sedegliano, Savalons, and Galleriano forts would have taken 4-10 months while 2.5-4 years at Udine. The Udine mound would have demanded up to 28 times the labour needed for other forts’ embankments, requiring approximately 11 years to complete and likely necessitating additional workforce from nearby settlements. This approach reveals the emergence of a defined hierarchical settlement system in the Friuli plain during the Recent Bronze Age, with the fort of Udine serving as a top-order settlement within a polity of smaller ones, akin to those recognized in the nearby regions of the Po Plain.
Trieste area (northeastern Italy), mainly based on airborne light
detection and ranging (LiDAR), ground penetrating radar (GPR),
and archaeological surveys, has led to the discovery of an early
Roman fortification system, composed of a big central camp (San
Rocco) flanked by two minor forts. The most ancient archaeological
findings, including a Greco–Italic amphora rim produced in
Latium or Campania, provide a relative chronology for the first
installation of the structures between the end of the third century
B.C. and the first decades of the second century B.C. whereas other
materials, such as Lamboglia 2 amphorae and a military footwear
hobnail (type D of Alesia), indicate that they maintained a strategic
role at least up to the mid first century B.C. According to archaeological
data and literary sources, the sites were probably established
in connection with the Roman conquest of the Istria peninsula in
178–177 B.C. They were in use, perhaps not continuously, at least
until the foundation of Tergeste, the ancestor of Trieste, in the mid
first century B.C. The San Rocco site, with its exceptional size and
imposing fortifications, is the main known Roman evidence of the
Trieste area during this phase and could correspond to the location
of the first settlement of Tergeste preceding the colony foundation.
This hypothesis would also be supported by literary sources that
describe it as a phrourion (Strabo, V, 1, 9, C 215), a term used by
ancient writers to designate the fortifications of the Roman army.
We present here six metal swords fortuitously retrieved by fishermen over the last decades in front of the barrier islands of the Marano Lagoon (north-eastern Italy). Multi-analytical analyses carried out on the artefacts (X-ray radiography and computed micro-tomography, radiocarbon dating and typo-chronology) combined with the study of the coastal paleo-environment (mainly based on historical cartography and remote sensing) allowed to define the items’ main features and shed light on the historical importance of the area and the significant morphological changes, which occurred in the area over the last millennium.
Data presented indicate the Marano Lagoon as a major hub in the northern Adriatic in the Late Middle Ages during the crucial period of the Crusades, and in early modern times, connecting inland Europe with the Mediterranean Sea. Moreover, the research highlights the onset of coastal erosion occurred in the last century after a phase of relatively geomorphic stability, possibly deriving from the intensification of human impact and climate change.
period, but radiocarbon analyses, performed by accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) on collagen extracted from two teeth, have provided an age range of 2,202– 1928 cal. BC, which corresponds to the Early Bronze Age in the investigated region. Macroscopic observations and X-ray micro-tomography (micro-CT) of the cranium have shown antemortem sharp force trauma on the frontal bones, probably caused by a bronze axe, and a related osteomyelitis likely caused by an infection
of the wound. The study has also revealed a previous depressed fracture and an osteolytic area interpreted as intradiploic meningioma. Results provide rare and earliest evidence of interpersonal violence in the northern Adriatic region.
This chronological overlap gave us the opportunity to explore the spatial relationship among these two types of features through the application of different GIS-based spatial analyses techniques, some of which carried out in a probabilistic framework. Our results allow to propose some non-alternative interpretations for the spread of burial mounds in the Friuli plain and to trace the existence of forms of territoriality, likely reflecting specific territorial strategies adopted by the proto-historic communities.
Some of these structures seem to have been used as ceremonial centres for a long span of time; over time they have been subject to change and transformation from burial places to pure landmarks, dividing territories or marking communication routes. The results of micromorphological analysis carried out on samples from the excavation of the burial mound of Mereto di Tomba, Udine, seem now to confirm that the monument was built over an open area possibly used for communal rites long before the burial deposition. It is therefore our intention to investigate systematically the spatial relationships between tumuli and the evidence of Copper Age occupation at a regional scale, with the aim of better understanding the origin of the tumuli phenomenon in the northern Adriatic regions. Furthermore several aspects concerning the spatial distribution of tumuli with respect to the Bronze Age fortified settlements will be also commented in order to explain the changing role of funerary behaviours in the human landscape.
We illustrate our modus operandi through the analysis of some pottery types that are widespread during the Bronze Age in the areas of the Friuli plain, Karst and Istria, and through the subsequent comparison between such distributions and that of some specific morphological features of settlement forms and burials. We focus on two periods, spanning from the Early to Middle Bronze Age (EBA2-MBA1/2) and from the later part of the Middle to the end of the Recent Bronze Age (MBA3-RBA2) respectively. Although the analysis is not systematic, inasmuch as it considers a limited sample of relevant contexts, it is nonetheless suitable to justify the empirical process we adopt provide some clues to describe the archaeological variability for the considered area and period.
During the first period considered, the whole region witnesses the spread of the first long-lasting settlements, traditionally known as castellieri: in the Karst area and Istria they are generally located on hilltops and protected by dry-stone walls, whereas in the upper and middle plain of Friuli they are defended by earthwork ramparts. In this period, we see the emergence of a single pottery facies evidenced by the diffusion throughout the Karst, Istria and high Friuli plain of well-defined pottery types. At the same time, a number of other cultural aspects related to funerary practices, suggest strong links between the Karst and Istria communities and the Friuli ones. Noteworthy, among these are burials later covered by settlement fortifications or covered tumuli documented in both areas.
The second period is characterized by the foundation of an unprecedented number of settlements, especially in the lower plain of Friuli, which however have been poorly documented so far. We recognize the emergence of local traits in pottery (different types of handles as well as decorations) which contribute to the formation of a local facies in Friuli, showing some relevant differences within it. Moreover, the influence of Karst-Istrian pottery traditions on Friuli is now limited to few pottery markers (such as the triangular forehead and the “a piastra” handle) and to other types not examined here. We conclude that the Isonzo-Torre rivers may have constituted the border strip between two different ceramic facies as from the late MBA. In this period, significant differences between the two areas, namely Friuli and Karst-Istria, can be envisaged also in the settlements forms and funerary customs, though the latter so far not documented in the Friuli area.
By comparing LiDAR-derived models with direct topographic surveys of the structures carried out in the past we provide a detailed overview of the main characteristics of the structures. The new documentation, including Digital Terrain Models (DTMs), profiles and 3D models of the preserved structures, refines the topographic information collected by previous scholars and offers new insights into the development of sophisticated building techniques by Bronze Age communities. Additionally, by converting earthwork volumes into energetics and combining workforce investment analysis with other archaeological proxies—particularly site size and distribution—we have supported the analysis of settlement patterns and organization.
Assuming 100 hypothetical full-time workers, the construction of burial mounds would have required from 1 week to 2 months; phase 3 monumental embankments at Sedegliano, Savalons, and Galleriano forts would have taken 4-10 months while 2.5-4 years at Udine. The Udine mound would have demanded up to 28 times the labour needed for other forts’ embankments, requiring approximately 11 years to complete and likely necessitating additional workforce from nearby settlements. This approach reveals the emergence of a defined hierarchical settlement system in the Friuli plain during the Recent Bronze Age, with the fort of Udine serving as a top-order settlement within a polity of smaller ones, akin to those recognized in the nearby regions of the Po Plain.
Trieste area (northeastern Italy), mainly based on airborne light
detection and ranging (LiDAR), ground penetrating radar (GPR),
and archaeological surveys, has led to the discovery of an early
Roman fortification system, composed of a big central camp (San
Rocco) flanked by two minor forts. The most ancient archaeological
findings, including a Greco–Italic amphora rim produced in
Latium or Campania, provide a relative chronology for the first
installation of the structures between the end of the third century
B.C. and the first decades of the second century B.C. whereas other
materials, such as Lamboglia 2 amphorae and a military footwear
hobnail (type D of Alesia), indicate that they maintained a strategic
role at least up to the mid first century B.C. According to archaeological
data and literary sources, the sites were probably established
in connection with the Roman conquest of the Istria peninsula in
178–177 B.C. They were in use, perhaps not continuously, at least
until the foundation of Tergeste, the ancestor of Trieste, in the mid
first century B.C. The San Rocco site, with its exceptional size and
imposing fortifications, is the main known Roman evidence of the
Trieste area during this phase and could correspond to the location
of the first settlement of Tergeste preceding the colony foundation.
This hypothesis would also be supported by literary sources that
describe it as a phrourion (Strabo, V, 1, 9, C 215), a term used by
ancient writers to designate the fortifications of the Roman army.
We present here six metal swords fortuitously retrieved by fishermen over the last decades in front of the barrier islands of the Marano Lagoon (north-eastern Italy). Multi-analytical analyses carried out on the artefacts (X-ray radiography and computed micro-tomography, radiocarbon dating and typo-chronology) combined with the study of the coastal paleo-environment (mainly based on historical cartography and remote sensing) allowed to define the items’ main features and shed light on the historical importance of the area and the significant morphological changes, which occurred in the area over the last millennium.
Data presented indicate the Marano Lagoon as a major hub in the northern Adriatic in the Late Middle Ages during the crucial period of the Crusades, and in early modern times, connecting inland Europe with the Mediterranean Sea. Moreover, the research highlights the onset of coastal erosion occurred in the last century after a phase of relatively geomorphic stability, possibly deriving from the intensification of human impact and climate change.
period, but radiocarbon analyses, performed by accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) on collagen extracted from two teeth, have provided an age range of 2,202– 1928 cal. BC, which corresponds to the Early Bronze Age in the investigated region. Macroscopic observations and X-ray micro-tomography (micro-CT) of the cranium have shown antemortem sharp force trauma on the frontal bones, probably caused by a bronze axe, and a related osteomyelitis likely caused by an infection
of the wound. The study has also revealed a previous depressed fracture and an osteolytic area interpreted as intradiploic meningioma. Results provide rare and earliest evidence of interpersonal violence in the northern Adriatic region.
This chronological overlap gave us the opportunity to explore the spatial relationship among these two types of features through the application of different GIS-based spatial analyses techniques, some of which carried out in a probabilistic framework. Our results allow to propose some non-alternative interpretations for the spread of burial mounds in the Friuli plain and to trace the existence of forms of territoriality, likely reflecting specific territorial strategies adopted by the proto-historic communities.
Some of these structures seem to have been used as ceremonial centres for a long span of time; over time they have been subject to change and transformation from burial places to pure landmarks, dividing territories or marking communication routes. The results of micromorphological analysis carried out on samples from the excavation of the burial mound of Mereto di Tomba, Udine, seem now to confirm that the monument was built over an open area possibly used for communal rites long before the burial deposition. It is therefore our intention to investigate systematically the spatial relationships between tumuli and the evidence of Copper Age occupation at a regional scale, with the aim of better understanding the origin of the tumuli phenomenon in the northern Adriatic regions. Furthermore several aspects concerning the spatial distribution of tumuli with respect to the Bronze Age fortified settlements will be also commented in order to explain the changing role of funerary behaviours in the human landscape.
We illustrate our modus operandi through the analysis of some pottery types that are widespread during the Bronze Age in the areas of the Friuli plain, Karst and Istria, and through the subsequent comparison between such distributions and that of some specific morphological features of settlement forms and burials. We focus on two periods, spanning from the Early to Middle Bronze Age (EBA2-MBA1/2) and from the later part of the Middle to the end of the Recent Bronze Age (MBA3-RBA2) respectively. Although the analysis is not systematic, inasmuch as it considers a limited sample of relevant contexts, it is nonetheless suitable to justify the empirical process we adopt provide some clues to describe the archaeological variability for the considered area and period.
During the first period considered, the whole region witnesses the spread of the first long-lasting settlements, traditionally known as castellieri: in the Karst area and Istria they are generally located on hilltops and protected by dry-stone walls, whereas in the upper and middle plain of Friuli they are defended by earthwork ramparts. In this period, we see the emergence of a single pottery facies evidenced by the diffusion throughout the Karst, Istria and high Friuli plain of well-defined pottery types. At the same time, a number of other cultural aspects related to funerary practices, suggest strong links between the Karst and Istria communities and the Friuli ones. Noteworthy, among these are burials later covered by settlement fortifications or covered tumuli documented in both areas.
The second period is characterized by the foundation of an unprecedented number of settlements, especially in the lower plain of Friuli, which however have been poorly documented so far. We recognize the emergence of local traits in pottery (different types of handles as well as decorations) which contribute to the formation of a local facies in Friuli, showing some relevant differences within it. Moreover, the influence of Karst-Istrian pottery traditions on Friuli is now limited to few pottery markers (such as the triangular forehead and the “a piastra” handle) and to other types not examined here. We conclude that the Isonzo-Torre rivers may have constituted the border strip between two different ceramic facies as from the late MBA. In this period, significant differences between the two areas, namely Friuli and Karst-Istria, can be envisaged also in the settlements forms and funerary customs, though the latter so far not documented in the Friuli area.
The investigation has been carried out through the application of a wide range of methods including surface survey, geoarchaeological corings and the study of sample materials. The integration of all acquired data into a single GIS platform and the application of several spatio-statistical techniques have allowed to propose new explanations of the ongoing settlement processes for the period considered.
L'iniziativa, dal titolo: "PALINSESTI PROGRAMMATI NEL NORD ADRIATICO? Decifrare, conservare, comunicare e pianificare il paesaggio" si svolgerà a Venezia presso l'Aula Magna di Ca' Dolfin il 18 Aprile 2019.
Il gruppo mira a riprendere il confronto sul tema dei paesaggi del Nord Adriatico intesi come un palinsesto esito dell'interazione di lungo periodo tra uomo e ambiente. Nel corso della giornata verranno presentati alcuni casi di studio finalizzati ad avviare una discussione sulle metodologie e le tecniche per decifrare il palinsesto del paesaggio, le strategie di occupazione di lungo periodo e il legame tra lo studio dei paesaggi antichi e i giorni nostri (trasmissione dell'identità, tutela e valorizzazione del territorio, rischio idro-geologico e cambiamenti ambientali).
more info at: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10990763/under-canopy-airborne-lidar-future-prospects
Belfast, 30 aug-2 sept
The Central Mediterranean represented a key area within the vast and unprecedented exchange network that defines the Mediterranean in the second part of the 2nd mill BC and that apparently ended around 1200 BC. It was recently argued that the 1200 BC was a turning point for many European societies and that the climatic event recorded in this period (3.2 Ka BP) in various parts of Europe triggered important socio-economic changes. In particular, the decades around this year corresponded to a period of dramatic shifts in the Central/North Mediterranean (e.g. abandonment and reorganization of settlement, new forms of social organization), supposedly influenced by environmental change/stress. For instance, a complex range of ecological, economic and social factors has been evoked for the disappearance of the North Italian Terramare Culture or settlements of the Po Plain. However, many other regions deserve the same attention and the hypothesis of an environmental ‘crisis’ in this area still needs more robust evidence.
To what extent/ the 3.2 Ka BP event – if so – impact on the Central Mediterranean Late Bronze Age communities? Is it possible to detect adaptive responses (social, economic) to environmental changes at regional or lower level? Is it possible to detect short catastrophic events (e.g. frequent flooding, droughts)? Could have changes been induced or amplified by the widespread anthropogenic modifications on the ecosystems documented from around this period, through unsustainable practices (e.g. replacement of species, extensive agriculture, fire activity?).
In this session we address these questions with a multi-proxy approach (including, but not limited to, geo-archaeological, GIS-based and statistical, paleo-ecological, demographic) in order to compare archaeological evidence, landscape and environmental changes occurred around 1200 BC with possible shifts in the settlement forms and patterns or economic strategies. Different scale of analysis (site-based, cluster of sites, regional) are very welcomed.
Keywords:
Late Bronze Age, Central Mediterranean, 1200 BC ‘crisis’, Environmental and Cultural Change, Landscape, Climate and Society
By integrating archaeological and palaeoecological data from on-site, site periphery (near-to-site), and off-site sequences, this session aims to provide insights into land use and land cover changes, revealing long-term landscape dynamics. Particular emphasis will be placed on changes in the structural and inherent characteristics of landscapes (geological, geomorphic, ecological, etc.) and the dynamic interactions between human communities and their environments. This approach will shed light on cycles of stability and change, as well as the historical trajectories of landscape evolution.
To address these complex interactions, we draw upon a wide array of methodologies. This multi-scale, computationally enhanced approach not only aims to reconstruct past environments but also to propose sustainable land management practices today. By highlighting innovative methodologies and their practical applications, this session aims to advance research in environmental archaeology, historical ecology, and sustainable landscape management.
By integrating archaeological and palaeoecological data from on-site, site periphery (near-to-site), and off-site sequences, this session aims to provide insights into land use and land cover changes, revealing long-term landscape dynamics. Particular emphasis will be placed on changes in the structural and inherent characteristics of landscapes (geological, geomorphic, ecological, etc.) and the dynamic interactions between human communities and their environments. This approach will shed light on cycles of stability and change, as well as the historical trajectories of landscape evolution.
To address these complex interactions, we draw upon a wide array of methodologies. This multi-scale, computationally enhanced approach not only aims to reconstruct past environments but also to propose sustainable land management practices today. By highlighting innovative methodologies and their practical applications, this session aims to advance research in environmental archaeology, historical ecology, and sustainable landscape management.
unprecedented exchange network that defines the Mediterranean in the
second part of the 2nd mill BC and that apparently ended around 1200 BC.
To what extent the 3.2 Ka BP event – if so – impact on the Central
Mediterranean Late Bronze Age communities? Is it possible to detect
adaptive responses to environmental changes at regional or lower level? Is it
possible to detect short catastrophic events? Could have changes been
induced or amplified by the widespread anthropogenic modifications on the
ecosystems documented from around this period, through unsustainable
practices?
In this session we address these questions with a multi-proxy approach in
order to compare archaeological evidence, landscape and environmental
changes occurred around 1200 BC with possible shifts in the settlement
forms and patterns or economic strategies. Different scale of analysis are
very welcomed.