Scienze storiche e dei beni culturali

Convegno internazionale organizzato dall’Università di Pisa e dall’Università di Napoli Federico II con il patrocinio del “CEPOC – Centro di Ricerca Coordinato” e della “Associazione Italiana di Storia delle Istituzioni Politiche. Pisa, 14-15 dicembre 2023.

Worldwide archaeological sites are threatened by many different kinds of hazards that can compromise the preservation of archaeological features, stratigraphy and historical landscapes. In respect to every single hazard is of paramount importance characterize the vulnerability of object by highlighting the elements susceptible to that defined threat, that means understanding and identify the factors that constitute the frailty of the archaeological features in each specific situation. Here we present the indicator-based method for assessing the vulnerability of archaeological heritage to the main soil-related hazards considered by the CLIMA Project. The vulnerability is assessed through a combination of typological and spatial parameters. As a base, a distinction between broad archaeological features’ category has been made in order to create a classification applicable to all the hazards considered. The classification distinguishes between standing structures, buried structures, soil marks and areas of scattered archaeological materials. A second phase refined vulnerability parameters in respect to the single hazard under consideration. For instance, regarding the soil erosion hazard, it has been mainly considered the susceptibility of buried archaeological features, put at risk by the erosion and lateral movement of soil due to natural factors such as rain and wind, and by anthropic factors, such as ploughing activities that can reduce the layer of topsoil that cover structures and stratigraphy, eroding the archaeological deposits and consequently uncovering them. In this particular case, a risk reduction factor has been defined in respect to the burial depth of structures, that can be assessed through the use of geophysical method (in particular ground penetrating radar) or soil survey. Here we will present the method of vulnerability assessment in general and in respect to each single case study considered by CLIMA, these are the Antonine Wall in Scotland, the Greco-roman city of Nea Paphos in Cyprus and the Roman town of Falerii Novi, in central Italy. Each site presents a different type of land use and management, different ownership (public, private, mixed) and a different archaeological baseline available. Therefore, the methodology has been applied also in consideration of these factors, finding solutions capable of achieving project’s objectives. 

Archaeological heritage includes many different types of artifacts, visible or still buried underground, that physically interact with the environment (atmosphere and soil), bringing to a more or less gradual deterioration of them. Research regarding soil related threats for archaeological heritage is today at its beginning, and the project CLIMA (Cultural Landscape risk Identification Management and Assessment; funded in the framework of the JPI-CH and closed in May 2018) represented a first step steps in this direction, by focusing on standing and buried archaeological heritage and by examining the physical interaction between soil processes and archaeological features.
The new project RESEARCH (funded by H2020-MSCA-RISE-2018 and started in November 2018) represents a further effort towards a wider analysis of different  soil related hazards threatening archaeological remains.

Archaeological Heritage, naturally endangered by environmental processes and anthropogenic pressures, is today increasingly at risk, because of intense human activities and climate change, and their impact on atmosphere and soil. European research is increasingly dedicated to the development of good practices for monitoring archaeological sites and their preservation. One of the running projects about these topics is RESEARCH (Remote Sensing techniques for Archaeology; H2020-MSCA-RISE, grant agreement: 823987), started in 2018 and ending in 2022. RESEARCH aims at testingrisk assessment methodologyusing an integrated system of documentation and research in the fields of archaeology and environmental studies. It will introduce a strategy and select the most efficient tools for the harmonization of different data, criteria, and indicators in order to produce an effective risk assessment. These will be used to assess and monitor the impact of soil erosion, land movement, and land-use change on tangible archaeological heritage assets. As a final product, the Project addresses the development of a multi-task thematic platform, combining advanced remote sensing technologies with GIS application. The demonstration and validation of the Platform will be conducted on six case studies located in Italy, Greece, Cyprus, and Poland, and variously affected by the threats considered by the Project. In the frame of RISE (Research and Innovation Staff Exchange), RESEARCH will coordinate the existing expertise and research efforts of seven beneficiaries into a synergetic plan of collaborations and exchanges of personnel (Ph.D. students and research staff), to offer a comprehensive transfer of knowledge and training environment for the researchers in the specific area. This paper aims at illustrating the results of the activities conducted during the first year of the Project, which consisted in developing an effective risk assessment methodology for soil-related threats affecting archaeological heritage, and defining the scientific requirements and the user requirements of the Platform. The activities have been conducted in synergy with all the Partners and were supported by the possibility of staff exchange allowed by the funding frame MSCA-RISE.