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• μXCT accelerates the numismatic identification process, outperforming current protocols. • It is performed on coins prior physical cleaning, without sample preparation. • Enables virtual reconstruction, preventing risks linked to manual handling. • Digitisation allows for information preservation and guides further cleaning. This study utilises X-ray Computed Micro-Tomography (μXCT) as a non-destructive and non-invasive method to recover the original surface features and reveal the characteristics of encrusted, illegible Roman copper-based coins before any physical cleaning process is performed. The coins were retrieved from the topsoil during an archaeological survey in the countryside of the ancient city of Aquileia, Italy, and were severely degraded, covered with accumulated matter and pronounced encrustations developed over centuries of aging buried in soil. Despite their condition, most of the coins were identified from a numismatic standpoint using tomographic data alone, with the aid of reference images. They were subsequently cleaned using traditional manual methods and the results compared with μXCT. X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) analysis of the coins after the physical cleaning confirmed their numismatic attribution and revealed information regarding the influence of different alloy compositions on the applicability of the μXCT method, as well as on the corrosion process of the coins. This study showcases how the application of μXCT on fragile corroded metal artifacts prior to any intrusive manual procedures can expedite the identification process, mitigating the risk of information loss caused by physical handling and cleaning. This approach proves particularly valuable when dealing with large numbers of coins that would typically require restoration for identification purposes. It also emphasises the numerous advantages of using μXCT for coin identification, provenance determination, dating, virtual restoration, digitisation, and long-term preservation. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study focuses on the integrated use of multiscale and multisensor remote sensing techniques and big data analysis for the identification of buried archaeological remains or areas of potential archaeological interest. Satellite multispectral data (at very high and high resolution), drone based visible, multispectral, and thermal imagery, and geophysical prospecting (gradiometer) were used. The ancient city of Metaponto was chosen as case study, as it was a very important city in the formative panorama of Italian Magna Graecia and it also is one of the most important and best preserved archaeological sites in southern Italy. The analysis of remote sensing data from different sensors, with different resolutions, and referable to different physical parameters, allowed to deepen archaeological knowledge on a landscape scale, as well as on a site scale, going from the analysis of traces of the ancient landscape (e.g. palaeo-channels, canalisation system, main roads), to the discovery of small features (e.g. secondary roads, houses, facilities). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To better understand the location and help in the conservation of buried structures in the ancient site of Tusculum, in Central Italy, archaeological and multi-methodological geophysical studies were developed in the recent last years. These studies included geophysical surveys, which were combined with topographical survey and direct archaeological excavations. Tusculum is one of the largest Roman archaeological sites in the Alban Hills, located in the Latium region (Italy), about 25 km South-East of Rome. This settlement was inhabited since pre-Roman times, up to the middle ages. The objective of the Tusculum Project is to verify the town-planning of Tusculum and to obtain information about the location, shape, depth and size of the hypothesised buried buildings. With these aims, multi-methodological geophysical surveys have been carried out in the time range 2016–2019 to locate the archaeological remains in different portions of the studied area and to verify the orientation of the underground aqueduct system. GPR and gradiometric surveys were carried out to investigate the archaeological remains, while ERT surveys, were employed to find evidence of undiscovered parts of the underground aqueduct system. These results, along with geological studies and historic evidence, are being examined by archaeologist to understand the limits of the town and how water was supplied to such a large, populated settlement. The obtained results show very good correspondence between the buried architecture, the geophysical anomalies and the archaeological excavations. A number of unexpected buried buildings were discovered, which were excavated in 2017 and 2018, which showed remains of buried public thermal bath and a large church with surrounding funerary area built in the Middle Ages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

79 samples of black glazed pottery, Terra sigillata, fine common ware, and production indicators were recovered in the archaeological site of Cales and investigated via a multi‐analytical program (polarized light microscopy, thermal analyses, XRPD, XRF, FESEM, FESEM‐EDS). Among the materials, finds of important production indicators, represented by welded pieces of black glazed pottery and spacers, attest a local production. Polarized light microscopy shows that the inclusions consist of feldspar, quartz, mica, calcite, and lithic fragments of both volcanic and sedimentary nature. Additional information about the mineralogical assemblage comes from the XRPD that revealed the presence of neoformed Ca‐silicates, indicating equivalent firing temperatures ranging from 750 to 1050°C. All the samples show a Ca‐rich character and an extreme compositional homogeneity, including the production indicators. The comparison with some Ca‐rich Campanian clay raw materials shows a greater affinity with the Mio‐Pliocene marine clay sediments of the Apennine sector, which include local clays. This allowed us to formulate the first hypotheses about clay sources used to produce fine pottery during the third century BCE to the early imperial period in Cales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Pontine Marshes (Central Italy) are known for their long drainage history starting early in Roman times and culminating in their reclamation (bonifica integrale) by the Fascist's regime under Mussolini, mostly in the 1930s of past century. The geology of this coastal wetland and causes for its drainage problems received limited attention till recently. We reviewed results from recent studies, identified still existing knowledge gaps and performed additional research to fill these, to produce a full description of the Holocene history and drainage of these marshes. Massive coring data that served to map the soils and surficial geology, observations in archaeological excavations, analytical data on soil and sediment characteristics, and radiocarbon datings allowed us to distinguish several phases in this history, with a main break in the early Roman Republican period with the first systematic drainage works. Earlier, natural processes brought about by sea level rise largely controlled its drainage. Once artificial drainage started, soil subsidence became an important process, aggravating the drainage problems. The bonifica introduced mechanical drainage, temporarily masking the impacts of subsidence. We quantified the historical subsidence using DTMs and developed scenarios for the impacts of sea level rise and subsidence in 2100 and 2200, assuming that this rise will be mitigated by a coastal defence system and enhanced capacity of the mechanical drainage. Our results demonstrate the important role of soil subsidence throughout the history of this wetland and need to include subsidence in scenarios for the impacts of sea level rise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cultural heritage is one of the most exceptional resources characterizing the Italian territory. Archaeological heritage, i.e., the archaeological sites with different types of archaeological artifacts, strongly contributes to enriching the national and international cultural heritage. Nevertheless, it is constantly exposed to external factors, such as natural deterioration, anthropic impact, and climate-related hazards, which may compromise its conservation. In Italy, many archaeological areas are affected by significant soil settlements that involve a large part of monuments. This paper focuses on the landslide hazard assessment of the archaeological site of Pietrabbondante (Molise region, Italy). The impact of the expected rainfall regimes, according to the EURO-CORDEX projections, on slope stability conditions were evaluated through the application of a physically based model that couples a hydraulic and a mechanical model to evaluate slope stability evolution due to pore pressure changes. Given the unavoidable lack of knowledge of the geotechnical soil properties in an archaeological heritage area, the proposed method considered the random uncertainty of soil parameters by means of a probabilistic approach in order to assess the stability conditions in terms of probability of occurrence of a landslide. The results of this study provide a reference for the safety assessment and preventive conservation of archaeological areas characterized by high cultural value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diffuse data fruition of archaeological hypogeum sites still represents a challenge due to their limited accessibility and their preservation and maintenance issues. This implies that the fruition of these peculiar archaeological sites is often possible through digital reconstructions and interactive web navigation systems. The survey methodologies based on terrestrial laser scanning and photogrammetry allow making accurate and detailed digital reconstructions of these sites that are useful for virtual fruition purposes. In addition, many different systems can be used for remote web navigation and fruition. This work presents a possible solution for the virtual fruition of archaeological hypogea with a multiscale 3D web navigation system based on WebGL open-source technology. The system has been implemented for the Roman hypogeum of Crispia salvia, located in Marsala (southern Italy). The hypogeum belongs to the Archaeological Park of Lilibeo-Marsala and is considered one of the most important archaeological discoveries in this area for its extraordinary frescoes. Public accessibility of this site is limited because it is located outside the boundaries of the Archaeological Park, in the modern town, and covered by a residential building. In this case, the web navigation system adds an important contribution due to the limited real accessibility to the site. This work shows the framework for the construction of the web navigation system, where 3D surveys, digital reconstructions, 3D modeling, and web development are integrated. The choice of using an open-source technology for the web navigation system limits the costs of the process, and, at the same time, grants the web dissemination of site information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ancient human settlements accumulate essential historical, archaeological, and geological information. An example is the St. Angel Cave, which preserves a Romanesque church and a complex of lustral tubs in the Eastern Maiella Massif (Central Apennines of Italy). Historical chronicles and archaeological data show that the church dates to the 10th–11th century. The archaeometry applied to the ceramic, coin, and wooden artefacts resulting from the excavation established a chronology of the periods of use and abandonment of the St. Angel Cave. The layering of architectural elements, changes in style, and alterations of the church structure account for two collapses. The first could be related to the poorly known 1209 earthquake. In addition, we describe the damage and changes to the structure and the use of space caused probably by the 1706 and 1933 earthquakes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to characterize seven metal artifacts found during archaeological excavations in the Siris area of Policoro (Matera, Southern Italy) dated during the five centuries BC. A range of analytical techniques, including optical microscopy (OM), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), were applied, and a microbiological investigation was performed. Visually, the metal finds appeared to be deteriorating from severe corrosion. The state of oxidation, evidenced through OM on the surface of a lead stick and an arrowhead, did not allow the recognition of the constituent materials, which were qualitatively obtained by XRF and, in the case of an arrowhead by XPS. On the other hand, the XRD technique was decisive in characterizing a lancet. The XRF application was only possible for a fibula, a flask cap, an iron weapon, and a javelin tip, which allowed the first characterization of these metal finds. The acquired information is crucial to evaluate a suitable green protocol in the study's second phase to recover and preserve these artifacts as better as possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing use of geophysical investigations for archaeological purposes is now provided also by Italian reforms about preventive archaeology. They allow not only the discovery or the spatial definition of possible buried archaeological evidence, but they are also able to define the state of preservation of ancient structures. The Bocca delle Menate archaeological site is in Comacchio village territory, situated in Ferrara provence (Emilia Romagna region, Italy). The archeological site provides important evidence of the Roman presence in the Po Delta (Italy). The Roman villa was excavated between 1958 and 1959, during the reclaiming works in the Mezzano Valley (Comacchio, Ferrara). An archaeological preliminary survey and a geophysical field trip using Geomagnetic and Frequency Domain Electromagnetic Methods were carried out, following the aim to identify the planimetry of the villa previously excavated and eventually newly discovered archaeological remains. The geomagnetic results detected the archaeological buried structures, even if the original disposition of them is not completely highlighted. The electromagnetic method was able to depict the geological and geomorphological background surrounding the Roman villa. The obtained results highlighted that the applied geophysical methods are excellent tools for the preservation, protection, and monitoring of archaeological heritage previously excavated, adding to their already known importance as best tools for new archaeological buried remains detections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of the Younger Dryas (YD) fluctuation on Late Pleistocene hunter‐gatherers' settlement and subsistence systems in the southern Alps are poorly known. This is primarily due to the scarcity of archaeological sites dating from the YD, in contrast with the extensive evidence available from the lateglacial interstadial and the early Holocene. Here, we present the initial stratigraphic, chronologic and geoarchaeological data collected from Cornafessa rock shelter, a new site located in the Lessini massif of the Italian Alps, at an elevation of 1240 m. The site was occupied during both the YD and the early Holocene. The YD archaeological deposit is clearly recognisable within the fairly uniform lateglacial and Holocene clastic succession. Geoarchaeological data indicate that the YD deposit corresponds to an occupation surface, which was formed during short visits to the site by late Epigravettian hunter‐gatherer groups, who settled in the sheltered area and performed distinct activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Growing interest in the health burden of malaria in ancient times is complimented by recent DNA confirmation of its presence at several archaeological sites in the Mediterranean. This study presents a model of ancient malaria risk for the region with utility for synthesis and application. The GIS-based model combines malaria risk factors that can be reasonably known for pre-modern times. Calibration, verification, and validation of the model is possible through use of a detailed map of pre-eradication malaria endemicity in Italy, the 1882 Carta della Malaria dell’Italia. The model provides a cross-disciplinary tool by bringing technical GIS capabilities to the evaluation of textual sources having potential malarial connections. The study’s main product is an open access relative malaria risk layer for GIS use and application to historical reconstruction. Example maps using model output and potential use are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three-dimensional digital acquisition techniques can be useful in archaeology because they make a further technological contribution to the visualization of finds and structures. The possibility of integrating three-dimensional models from different acquisition systems (laser scanner, UAV, reflex and Georadar) is even more exciting. One of the peculiarities of these integration techniques is the possibility of promoting the dissemination of knowledge through virtual reality, augmented reality and mixed reality, given the widespread use of mobile devices. This does not mean, of course, that with the mere creation of a 3D model (and allowing it to be viewed in 3D), the public automatically obtains more information about heritage. In fact, visiting a cultural heritage site in person allows one to receive much more information on finds and structures. However, if this is not possible, technologies that use 3D Virtual Reality help to provide a small knowledge base to those who cannot use the museum. We underline the importance of an integrated visualization from an archaeological and architectural perspective to obtain understanding of the structure with the integration of the two models with different data. The work that we present is part of a multidisciplinary project to recover and disseminate information about the Reggio Calabria's (southern Italy) artistic, archaeological and cultural heritage. This work's goal is the realization of a unique 3D model of the church "Madonna dei Poveri" (3D model of a buried part with 3D model of visible parts) by combining different geomatics techniques to show and investigate the interior and exterior parts (3D model obtained by laser scanner and photogrammetry), and the underground crypts (3D model obtained by Georadar), which are lying below the present surface and are no longer accessible due to coverage by post-depositional processes (Georadar). Finally, an app (using augmented reality and virtual reality) and a first experimentation of Mixed Reality is developed for the dissemination of the archaeological and cultural heritage information on the area of interest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Attention to the condition assessment and conservation of cultural heritage is increasing due to growing sensitivity to the preservation of the built and natural environment and awareness of the risks associated with natural hazards. In this context, a comprehensive approach to the conservation and valorization of cultural heritage requires the combined action of different skills to achieve reliable assessment of the conditions of valuable assets and sites based on qualitative and quantitative indicators. This paper explores the issues of conservation and sustainable management of archaeological sites, considering humanistic and technical aspects. It reviews the current rules and practices concerning the maintenance and administration of archaeological heritage and outlines the implementation of a novel procedure, based on low-cost tools, to assess and describe the current condition of archaeological assets. Specific attention is paid to the interaction between experts and researchers operating in both humanistic and technical fields and to the knowledge and data contribution available on modern web-based platforms to implement reliable and low-cost data acquisition for the development of worthwhile plans for the conservation and enhancement of cultural heritage. The Samnite complex of Pietrabbondante, Molise, South Italy, is employed to apply and check the proposed tools in the real world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Versilia plain (NW Italy) experiences forms of tourism that are mainly limited to the beach area and concentrated in the summer season. The area is rich in cultural and natural heritage, not yet adequately enhanced. The presence of four local archaeological museums and a natural park offers a great opportunity to favour feasible archaeological and environmental tourism. The aim of this study is to use a holistic methodology to improve a different type of tourism in the study area. We propose a consilient multidisciplinary approach based on geological, biological and archaeological data in order to enhance the cultural and natural heritage of the Versilia plain. We have based our study on the reconstruction of palaeoenvironment maps showing the evolution of the territory and used them as a leitmotiv to link the archaeological museums and the natural park. We define real and virtual itineraries to create a synergy between the most important archaeological and natural sites and museums. It is possible to promote a different type of tourism in the study area by decreasing human impact and creating a relationship between the fragmented natural and archaeological heritage. Palaeoenvironment maps and real and virtual itineraries can be consulted with the aid of a web application, more specifically web mapping, developed with free and open-source libraries. The web mapping also contains other geological, geomorphological and archaeological datasets, which allow to understand the evolution of the environment and the cultural and natural heritage of the study area. The dataset available on the web mapping is also downloadable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geophysical methods, and particularly ground penetrating radar (GPR), have been increasingly applied as a preliminary mapping tool to guide archaeological excavations. Direct comparisons between geophysical and archaeological features are however not always systematically performed given the different time spans, covered areas, acquisition and processing approaches of the surveys. A critical comparison between geophysical and archaeological results is here proposed on a test site within the archaeological area of Augusta Bagiennorum (NW Italy). Three rectangular sectors covering an area of approximately 2325 m2 were investigated with high‐density GPR profiles and compared with both historical and new archaeological excavations. The GPR amplitude and attribute analyses highlight the effectiveness of geophysical prospections in identifying buried linear (i.e., walls) and localized (e.g., pillars or columns) archaeological remains. The recent archaeological excavations fully confirm the interpretation of the GPR results. Historical archaeological trenches, filled with coarse material after the excavation, are also found to generate strong anomalies in the GPR amplitude, similar to the ones of the buried structures, but with irregular contours and oblique orientations with respect to Roman remains. The GPR prospections also highlight interesting buried elements in unexplored areas, supporting important archaeological interpretations about the spatial configuration of the Roman city. The results help to recognize sectors with significant and well‐preserved buried remains that can be brought to light in the future to promote heritage conservation and enhancement at the site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The term "weeds" refers to "plants suitable for habitats modified by man and that interfere with human activities". It implies an anthropocentric rather than an ecological vision since the existence and the characteristic of the interference depends on men's purposes. In the archaeological sites, the most important damage is the functional one and it ranges from hazards for the structures to the interference that weed flora can exert on the technical management and fruition of the site. In this particular type of environment, the diverse methods available to quantify the magnitude of the infestation are not sufficient to describe the potential or actual hazard to which a given infested site is subjected. Therefore, it is necessary to consider a greater degree of detail (including morphological, ecological, and physiological properties of the weeds) and to keep them all in consideration. The aim of the present work was to try to identify and propose a method for the assessment of the hazards and thus the damages that a weed community can lead in sites of historical and archaeological interest. The procedure quantifies the degree of the infestation, in terms of occurring species, quantifies the related hazard based on some traits of the weed species, and calculates indexes capable of providing synthetic and comparable information on the hazard to which the site is exposed. The proposed method was applied and tested in some sites of archaeological interest in the Apulia Region, in southern Italy. Applied to the surveyed archaeological sites, the proposed Indexes revealed the presence of weed infestations variously assorted in terms of potential damage, generating different hazard scores. This confirms the importance of understanding the type of infestation and not only its extent. In this study, a procedure was provided that can support decision-makers. Although studied for archaeological sites, the same principles adopted in this procedure could be proposed for other non-agricultural areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This contribution presents an application of the conceptual model of 'aggradational succession' (i.e., the sedimentary record deposited in response to sea-level rise during the glacial terminations) to a series of geological sections of the Paleo-Tiber delta cropping out along the Via Aurelia near Rome, Italy. The geochronological constraints provided here through 40Ar/39Ar dating of volcanic layers intercalated within the sedimentary deposits of the MIS 13 and MIS 11 aggradational successions resulted in some remarkable outcomes: 1) we reconstruct an independent chronology of the Mediterranean sea-level oscillations 450 through 380 ka, in good agreement with the δ18O and the Red Sea relative sea level curve chronology; 2) the Glacial Termination V is here bracketed in the interval 423.1 ± 4.4–438.7 ± 1.2 ka; 3) we show that the aggradational successions of MIS 11 and MIS 13 display similar spatial/geometric features despite the significantly different amplitude of their Oxygen isotope records, challenging the regression models linking absolute values of benthic foraminifera δ18O and ice-volume; 4) we show the relevance of a climatic-stratigraphic approach in dating coastal-to-fluvial sedimentary contexts; 5) we provide indirect age constraints with the precision of a few ka for two important palaeoanthropological and archaeological sites in central Italy bearing Acheulean lithic industries and human remains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Illegal archaeological excavations, generally denoted as looting, is one of the most important damage factors to cultural heritage, as it upsets the human occupation stratigraphy of sites of archaeological interest. Looting identification and monitoring are not an easy task. A consolidated instrument used for the detection of archaeological features in general, and more specifically for the study of looting is remote sensing. Nevertheless, passive optical remote sensing is quite ineffective in dense vegetated areas. For these type of areas, in recent decades, LiDAR data and its derivatives have become an essential tool as they provide fundamental information that can be critical not only for the identification of unknown archaeological remains, but also for monitoring issues. Actually, LiDAR can suitably reveal grave robber devastation, even if, surprisingly, up today LiDAR has been generally unused for the identification of looting phenomenon. Consequently, this paper deals with an approach devised ad hoc for LiDAR data to detect looting. With this aim, some spatial visualization techniques and the geomorphon automatic landform extraction were exploited to enhance and extract features linked to the grave robber devastation. For this paper, the Etruscan site of San Giovenale (Northern Lazio, Italy) was selected as a test area as it is densely vegetated and was deeply plundered throughout the 20th century. Exploiting the LiDAR penetration capability, the prediction ability of the devised approach is highly satisfactory with a high rate of success, varying from 85–95%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is a book review of "Due storie, una valle. La transizione Antichità-Medioevo nell'Alta Valle del Tagliamento attraverso l'archeologia" edited by Sauro Gelichi, Silvia Cadamuro, and Alessandra Cianciosi. The book focuses on the archaeological excavations in the Alta Valle del Tagliamento region in Italy. It explores the transition from antiquity to the Middle Ages in this area, with a particular emphasis on the late Roman and early medieval periods. The review highlights two sites, Cuol di Ciastiel and Andrazza, and provides detailed information about their findings and significance. Overall, the book offers valuable insights into the history and development of this upland region in Italy. [Extracted from the article]

Gandharan art developed in the Himalayan area in the early centuries CE. It has been investigated mostly from an iconographic point of view, missing, until very recently, a systematic technical investigation of materials and techniques. Recently our team began performing chemical analyses of the traces of the polychromy originally covering statues, reliefs and architectural decorations, to discover the ancient painting techniques and artistic technologies. This paper presents the results of the analytical investigation (optical microscopy, Raman spectroscopy and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry) of pigments, ground layers and binders of a new group of samples taken from stucco architectural decorations (2nd–3rd/4th centuries CE). The samples were collected directly at an archaeological site in the Swat Valley, ensuring the exact knowledge of their stratigraphic provenance, as well as the absence of any restoration treatment applied prior sampling. The results are discussed in the wider context of Gandharan polychromy investigated so far by our team, as found in sculptures and architectural decorations preserved in museums (in Italy and France) and in archaeological excavations in Pakistan. The aim of this research is to shed light on the materials and techniques of this Buddhist ancient art from this region and on the influences exerted on it from Eastern and Western artistic traditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims at reconsidering the archaeological interpretation of the Cittanova area (northern Italy) by analysing new stratigraphic data collected in its surroundings and along the Via Emilia towards the city of Modena. New elements are presented to discuss the traditional interpretation of this important historical and archaeological site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the earliest known settlements of Pre-Roman Padua, Veneto Region (north-eastern Italy) was located in the very centre of the present-day city. The archaeological excavations revealed structures related to craft activities (metallurgical and pottery workshops) and residential areas datable from the late 9th to the 1st century BCE. A large pyrotechnic structure formed by an earthen block densely filled and covered by broken ceramic vessels was found, bringing to light the earliest foundry of the Pre-Roman Padua known to date. Many potsherds found in the site correspond to a regional ceramic class that included coarse and fine wares mainly composed of very dark ceramic bodies. A multi-analytical study based on macroscopic and petrographic descriptions as well as mineralogical, geochemical and microstructural analyses, was carried out in order to state the technological choices adopted for producing these dark vessels and the provenance of the raw materials. A poorly manufacturing was adopted to produce the common pottery, resulting coarse wares uneven textured, while the fine wares were produced by adopting the purification of the base clays and/or the tempering of the clay pastes. Common geo-resources were used, consisting in illitic-chloritic clays rich in quartz and feldspars, the firing regime conditions covered a range of maximum temperatures (normally under 850 °C) and the temper was constituted by silicate (chiefly quartzite, rhyolite and trachyte rock fragments) and/or carbonate (calcite and/or dolomite) inclusions, that were added after having been grounded and/or sieved. The specific mineral and lithic markers of provenance identified in the sherds confirmed the correspondence of this pottery with a local production. However, the specific technological choices that were carried out must be taking into consideration, since the purification removed the larger grains originally present in the base clays and the tempering influenced the chemical composition of the sherds. The different degree of purification of the base clays and the differential tempering procedures that were accomplished point out the adoption of very specific recipes to produce the fine wares, suggesting the correspondence of this local ceramic class with diverse sub-productions and the high level of specialization achieved by the potters in southern Veneto during the Early Iron Age. • Dark sherds from the earliest foundry of Pre-Roman Padua known to date are studied. • Fine wares were carefully produced by adopting very specific technological choices. • Markers of provenance allow to attest this dark pottery with a local production. • The purification and the tempering procedures must be considered in provenance studies. • The potters of southern Veneto achieved a high level of specialization at that time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to present new additional data regarding the relative sea-level (RSL) changes and the vertical ground movements (VGM) occurred in Campi Flegrei caldera since the Early Roman period (3rd century BC), commenting also on the accompanying changes of the coastal landscape and its implications in terms of human adaptation. The study area is located along the western sector of the Campi Flegrei caldera, one of the active volcanic systems of the Mediterranean region that started its activity more than 60 ka BP. Despite the human occupation of Campi Flegrei started not later than the Early Bronze Age (about 3.5 ka BP) and the earliest coastal settlements date back to the first Greek colonization of Southern Italy (ca. 800 BC), nowadays, the numerous coastal archaeological sites that are scattered in the studied area belong to the Roman period. The geoarchaeological interpretation of these remains allows detecting and dating of ancient positions of relative sea levels (RSLs), reconstructing of past coastal conformations, and measuring ancient VGM. The coastal sector between the modern Baia and Miseno was surveyed with a transdisciplinary and multi-proxy approach by means of direct and indirect methods, including, among others, paleo-environmental and archaeo-stratigraphic well logs analysis, geo-acoustic maps interpretation, and measurements of archaeological indicators of ancient sea levels. By comparing our measurement of RSL with the eustatic models of Peltier (2004) and Lambeck et al. (2011), the VGMs history of the coastal sector in the last 2300 years was reconstructed. Even if several volcano-tectonic oscillations were recorded, the obtained multi-proxy indications allow reconstructing two different behaviours in terms of vertical displacements: an overall subsiding trend affecting the area between the Early Roman period and the Middle Age, and a prevailing uplift after that period. The main coastal changes that occurred in the same period can be summarized in a coastal retreat ranging between 40 and 300 m, mainly due to the submersion of the pre-existing coastal area and leading to the submersion of villas, thermae, and other structures built on it. However, based on our measurements, the time span covered by the high-resolution data obtained from the three fish tanks here studied (60 BC – 12 AD) appears to be a period of volcano-tectonic stability, without significant VGMs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the assumed elevated rates of young female mortality in ancient times, likely associated with pregnancy and childbirth risks, evidence of maternal–fetal deaths is surprisingly scarce in the osteoarchaeological record. Archaeological excavations conducted in the medieval rural cemetery of Pieve di Pava (Tuscany, central Italy) brought to light the burials of four young females deceased with fetuses. This research aims to reconstruct the osteobiographies of these mothers and the unborn children in order to investigate potential complications that may have played a role in their death. In this context, a paleopathological analysis of the female individuals was performed along with the examination of fetal position and the assessment of gestational age (GA) to explore potential links to obstetrical deaths. The spatial association of the mother and the fetus suggests a death during the later stages of pregnancy or childbirth for the two individuals T. 71 and US 8432; moreover, the position of her preterm 8‐month fetus, found between her legs of the latter, might be consistent with a case of postmortem fetal extrusion, a phenomenon that is rarely observed in osteoarchaeology. According to the same analytical criteria, two other females (T. 99 and US 8941), with an eight/nine‐month and a six‐month fetus respectively, reasonably died during pregnancy. The study of these cases from medieval Italy contributes to current interpretations of maternal–fetal death in the past, providing insights into the health status of young females and the risks they may have faced during pregnancy and childbirth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pontecagnano is one of the largest pre-Roman sites in southern Italy, best known for its necropolises, located around the inhabited area. Archaeological excavations of the burial areas have uncovered more than ten thousand burials. Several studies have highlighted different phases of the settlement's development from the 9th to the 3rd century BCE, which are marked by major societal and cultural shifts. In turn, these periods are reflected by changes in funerary customs. The present study aims to provide further evidence of these social transitions through an interdisciplinary analysis focused on the non-adult population. The analysis integrates archaeological, anthropological, and archeozoological data relating to 152 burials from three chronologically and spatially distinct funerary sectors: Colucci (early Iron Age, 9th century – 8th century BCE); De Chiara (Orientalizing period, 7th century – 6th century BCE); and Baldi (Archaic period, 6th century – first half of the 5th century BCE). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The archaeological site La Marmotta (AnguillaraSabazia, Italy) is a singular place as regards the conservation and recovery of wood and plant remains. The exceptional preservation at the site allowed the recovery of five canoes and numerous objects related to navigation, house building, agriculture, hunting and craft activities. The wide range of artefacts found, and the time of the occupation between 5700 and 5300 cal BC, make La Marmotta a point of reference for the study of technology in wood during the early Neolithic in the Mediterranean basin. The specific objective of this study is the taxonomic identification of the ligneous species used as raw material to make artefacts for farming activities. An assemblage of complete and fragmented sickles has been studied. Deciduous Quercus sp. Is the most important taxonaccording to the number of sickles identified. However, other taxa were also used. Woodworking implies a profound knowledge of the natural environment and the characteristics of the wood. The assemblage of wooden objects found at the La Marmotta site reflects the significance of this raw material for Neolithic societies. They are undoubtedly the reflection of a technologically skilled society that will revolutionise our conception of Neolithic communities, which were much more advanced than we thought. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Excavations carried out at the Latin city of Gabii between 2012 and 2018 have contributed new data to a number of debates around the emergence, lived experience, maintenance, decline, and resilience of cities. Gabii's urban trajectories demonstrate both seemingly familiar forms of urbanism and, on closer study, many locally circumscribed elements. Specifically, the Gabii Project excavations have uncovered an early Iron Age (8th–5th centuries b.c.) hut complex that has provided evidence for architecture, funerary rites, and quotidian activities during the initial polynuclear settlement at urbanizing Gabii. A unique monumental complex constructed in the 3rd century b.c. has been identified and is interpreted as a public structure potentially used for ritual activities; the study of this complex raises questions about the creation and reception of markers of civic identity. Excavation data has further characterized the reorganizations that took place during the first centuries a.d., when Gabii's settled area contracted. Rather than unidirectional decline, evidence for industrial activities increases, and elite investments in the city persist, especially in the mixed-use elite domestic and agricultural complex. These results provide detailed evidence for how ancient cities developed and transformed in the face of shifting local and regional conditions, especially smaller urban centers (Gabii) at the periphery of mega-urban centers (Rome). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dental twinning (or "double teeth") is a rare developmental condition that implies the fusion of two or more adjacent teeth. Clinical literature reports individual cases and extensive population studies to clarify causation, distribution, heritability and differential diagnosis of the different types of dental twinning (i.e. fusion, gemination, and accretion) whereas, documentation for past populations is still scarce. Aims: the present study documents four new archaeological cases of dental twinning of deciduous teeth from four different Italian archaeological sites and positions them within the framework of the known literature. Materials and methods: the observed cases include five deciduous teeth from four subadults from Sardinia (Monte Sirai, 7th-4th cent. BCE and Santa Filitica, 7th cent. CE), Campania (Velia, 1st-2nd cent. CE) and Latium (Villamagna, 13th-15th cent. CE). The identification, descriptions and differential diagnoses of the anomalies were performed with the use of morphological analyses and, in one case, radiographic means. Results: all cases fall within the category of double teeth; each involving a different set of processes (gemination and dental fusion), teeth (deciduous central incisors, lateral incisors and canines), locations (upper and lower) and occurrence (unilateral and bilateral). Conclusion: to this day, cases reported in literature of dental twinning in archaeological samples are sparse and limited to specific geographical areas. This study adds four more cases from Italy suggesting such anomalies should be recorded in dental analyses in order to, one day, obtain a more reliable modelling of the frequencies and distributions in past populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Integrated study via ED-XRF and FTIR spectroscopies. • New study of materials at Lilybaeum , a Punic-Hellenistic archaeological site in Italy. • Identification of wall decoration pigments: from red ochre to manganese black. • Interpretation of spectroscopic results with respect to ancient painting techniques. An integrated spectroscopic study of painted plaster fragments of the Punic-Hellenistic period (4th-1st century BCE) from the Lilybaeum archaeological site in Sicily is presented. Elemental and molecular composition of the painted wall fragments is obtained via ED-XRF and FTIR spectroscopies. This study is the first ever performed on finds from Lilybaeum urban area. A wide colour palette is identified examining a significant set of 14 polychrome wall plaster fragments. Hematite, orpiment, massicot, green earths, Egyptian blue, and manganese black are discovered. Based on interdisciplinarity, this work spans from chemistry/physics to archaeology through the interpretation of the spectroscopic results in the ancient Mediterranean context. The methodological approach used may be extended to other similar projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a comprehensive review of the history of the olive in Puglia, southern Italy, from prehistory to the Middle Ages, including evidence from various sources. The primary source of information is from archaeological sites, where the remains have been found of olive pollen, stones and wood charcoal, olive presses and pottery kilns for making amphorae for transporting olives or their oil. The survey also includes data from pollen sequences from natural sites and from written documents referring to olive groves. Our study shows that olives have been cultivated since the Early Neolithic, but it is only during the Middle Bronze Age that the domestic type appeared in the region, a consequence of selective cultivation of the wild type. The domestication of the olive had been completed by the first half of the 1st millennium bc, during the Iron Age–Archaic period, when remains of olives appear outside their area of natural distribution. The increasing exchanges with the Greeks during the Hellenistic period favoured the spread of olive cultivation and led to the construction of olive presses for oil extraction. The Roman conquest promoted the production of olive oil, which was successfully traded during the Republican and Early Imperial periods. After the Roman period ended, economic developments and political turmoil led to a decrease in olive growing, which did not fully recover until the Norman period in the 12th century ad. Later, under the Swabians, olives became a key crop and a major asset for the economy of Puglia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 1:28,000-scale geoarchaeological map has been prepared for a large sector of the Ionian coastal belt of the Basilicata region, southern Italy, in order to investigate the relationships between the spatial distribution of archaeological sites of Greek settlement of Metapontum and the main landforms of this sector of the Bradano Foredeep. Archaeological investigation consists of an examination and a re-organisation of published data and new field surveys, which has allowed us to infer the relationships between landform elements and spatial distribution of about 1400 archaeological remnants of the Greek colony of Metapontum. Our results highlight a non-random distribution of the archaeological evidence and the strong influence of geomorphological features and processes on the settlement pattern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forty five ceramic shards discovered in archaeological excavations at Castellum 22 site, Constanţa County, southeastern Romania, and dated to the 10th–11th centuries AD, were subjected to scientific investigations in order to get clues about the raw materials and manufacturing techniques employed by the potters from the Lower Danube zone at the end of the 1st millennium AD. The analyzed shards were selected according to archaeological criteria. The characteristics of the fabric, such as texture, porosity and microstructure, as well as the surface treatments and firing conditions, were studied using Optical Microscopy (OM). Chemical composition was determined using Particle-Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) technique at AN2000 accelerator of LNL, INFN, Italy. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) of the PIXE data for the ceramic bodies highlighted two main groups of shards with distinct compositional signatures. Micro-PIXE maps of the interfaces between the olive green or yellow glaze and the underlying ceramic body indicated that the decorative layers are strongly enriched in lead. The results of these investigations were compared to the ones previously obtained on coeval pottery from other archaeological sites, such as Hârşova , Oltina, Păcuiul lui Soare , and Valu lui Traian , in a trial to get some insights about the life and customs of the people from the Lower Danube region during the Byzantine period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The arrival of the Longobards in Northern Italy in 568 CE marked a period of renewed political stability in the Peninsula after the collapse of the Western Roman Empire. The trajectory of the spread of Longobards in Italy across the Alps and into the South is known from many literary sources. However, their mobility and residence patterns at a population level remain to be fully understood. Here we present a multi-isotopic analysis (87Sr/86Sr and 18O/16O) of 39 humans and 14 animals buried at the Longobard necropolis of Povegliano Veronese (VR, Italy; 6th—8th century CE), to address mode and tempo of the spread of this population in the Peninsula. The geographical location of Povegliano Veronese plays a key role: the site lies along the Via Postumia, which was one of the main ancient Roman roads of Northern Italy, representing an important route in post-classical Italy. The integration of isotopic data with the archaeological evidence allowed us to determine the presence of individuals from at least three different regions of origin, building a diachronic map of the dynamics of mobility of this group in northern Italy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Portable energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry with principal component analysis was applied to the study of Roman wall mortars from an excavation site in Italy. • Comparisons were made between in situ and ex situ data collection and three forms of ex situ samples. • Conclusions regarding wall associations agreed among all data and with visual observations by site archaeologists. Mortared stone walls at the Coriglia, Castel Viscardo archaeological excavation site near Orvieto, Italy were analyzed via portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry to better understand their construction sequence and phasing. Data were collected ex situ for intact, ground, and fused bead samples and in situ at the site and evaluated through principal component analysis. Elements identified in the mortars included calcium, manganese, iron, nickel, zinc, rubidium, and strontium. Conclusions regarding wall associations agreed among the three ex situ sample forms, demonstrating that sample form does not matter when applying portable XRF spectrometry for mortar analysis. Conclusions drawn from the ex situ and in situ data and from visual observations by the site archaeologists also agreed and provides additional support for the use of XRF spectrometry for phasing of mortared walls. Lastly, this study demonstrates that in situ data collection for archaeological mortars is valid while also ensuring the preservation of cultural heritage objects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a dataset collected and constructed as part of a PhD research project in Environmental Sciences. Applying a multidisciplinary approach that combines archaeological and geomorphological data, this project aimed to reconstruct the Late Holocene landscape evolution in the Central Po Plain (Italy). The dataset was collected digitising the information retrieved from various sources such as scientific literature, regional databases and terrain surveys. In particular, the geoarchaeological data consist of a record of 761 archaeological sites and a soil map reporting the different sediment types of the area. Natural and anthropogenic landscape features developed by human-environmental interplay are organised in paleochannels, watercourses and channelisation. This dataset represents one of the first open-access data collection available in Italy and can be reused by any researchers working in fluvial landscape studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, geophysical methods have been increasingly applied as a preliminary mapping tool to guide archaeological excavations. Despite the reported growing case histories of geophysical prospections for archaeological purposes, direct comparison between expectations arising from the geophysical results and actual findings is not always systematically performed. A critical comparison between pre-excavation geophysical-guided hypotheses and post-excavation archeological evidences is proposed in this work. A test site within the archaeological area of Locri Epizephyrii (Calabria, southern Italy) was chosen for this purpose. An unsurveyed rectangular area (31 × 26 m) was investigated with high-density ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and magnetic profiles. Several anomalous alignments, both compatible and oblique with respect to the orientation of the Greek-Roman city plan, were preliminarly observed in the geophysical results. The use of two different techniques allowed for comparison of anomalous areas, enhancing the likelihood of finding features of significance. Two archaeological soundings were later carried out in the areas showing the most peculiar geophysical anomalies. Several structures revealing the same orientation of the ancient city plan and belonging to at least two different building phases were unearthed from a depth of 15–25 cm below the ground surface. A systematic comparison between geophysical and archeological results was then carried out. In general, walls showing different construction typologies (opus testaceum , opus incertum or opus caementicium) were found to generate similar radar anomalies. Artifacts made with materials similar to the background sandy alluvial deposits were not identified by both geophysical techniques, as in the case of an unearthed channel bank, made of local sandstone blocks. GPR was globally observed to detect buried structures better than the magnetic method, probably due to background geological variables linked to the presence of Fe-rich minerals within the background sediments, generating noisier and scattered magnetic gradient maps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fifteen tile samples from archaeological digs in central Italy were analyzed for trace element content using comparative neutron activation analysis. To accommodate the simultaneous irradiation of a large number of samples and standard reference materials, we designed a custom sample holder for the Penn State Breazeale Reactor 2″ × 6″ tube and characterized the thermal and epithermal neutron flux across all sample locations. Analysis of sample irradiation data produced concentration values for 14 elements. Statistical analyses of the data set using agglomerative hierarchical clustering indicated that the samples are from two distinct sites, which was confirmed by provenance information received after analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monte Fenera is a mostly carbonate hill at the southern border of the Western Alps. It hosts several archaeological sites, among them karstic caves bearing evidence of Palaeolithic occupation. These sites have a long history within Alpine archaeology—having been explored since the 19th century—but information on their stratigraphy, chronology, and formation remains incomplete. They are among the few cave‐sites occupied before the Alpine Last Glacial Maximum in the area, and their study is crucial for understanding human occupation and regional environmental evolution during the Pleistocene. Here we focus on Ciota Ciara, a cave formed in Triassic dolostone, and in particular on the Middle‐to‐Upper Pleistocene succession unearthed at its south‐western entrance since 2009. This succession was analyzed by means of several geoarchaeological methods including stratigraphy, routine sediment analyses, and archaeological micromorphology. Our study shows that sediment accumulation was due to the repeated occurrence of concentrated flow and runoff events from the karstic system alternating with episodes of wall disintegration and short phases of surface stabilization. Post‐depositional processes include frost action, hydromorphism, and diagenesis that have selectively affected the archaeological remains. The results of the study shed light on site formation and have relevance for Pleistocene cave archaeology more widely in the southern Western Alps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Small angle neutron scattering measurements have been carried out in order to investigate, in microdestructive way, the mesoscopic structure of a variety of potteries of relevance to cultural heritage coming from different Sicilian (Southern Italy) archeological sites belonging to the “Strait of Messina” area and dated back to 7th–3rd century B.C. Data have been compared with the mesoscopic parameters extracted for two series of clayey sediments typical of the Strait of Messina area and fired under controlled conditions. The observed agreement between the features of reference and archeological samples allowed us to estimate the maximum firing temperature of the latter. Information on the pore sizes was obtained by the use of the concept of fractal surface, and compared with porosimetry results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evolution in the technology and communication potential of the digital images used by survey techniques opens up extremely interesting opportunities in the field of knowledge and enhancement of cultural heritage. The research presented here used the ruins of the old thermal baths in an urbanised area of Naples to investigate this aspect. The dual objective of the study created a close link between didactics and research: the ancient site was used as an open-air laboratory for the on-site activities while cognitive research was an opportunity to critically compare the indirect survey techniques used in this study and assess the results and communication potential, bearing in mind that digital visualisation undoubtedly represents a fundamental change in the cognitive model of Cultural Heritage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper deals with the geotechnical aspects of the restoration of the Insula dei Casti Amanti (IX-12), in the ancient town of Pompeii, Italy. Such works include the restoration of some archaeological ruins, the stabilisation of artificial slopes realised during archaeological excavations and the replacement of the actual roofing system with a single-span covering. Remedial measures for excavation fronts will be adopted by re-profiling them with variable slope angles, taking advantage of the conditions of partial saturation in the pyroclastic surge. The system of roofing will be replaced by a unique, single-span covering equipped with seismic isolators and supported by steel columns founded on circular embedded foundations. Seismic site response analyses, carried out to predict the seismic behaviour of the new covering, reveal that, depending on the frequency content of the seismic excitation, a 'double resonance' between the seismic input, the subsoil and the ancient architecture may occur. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]