Teodoro Scarano
University of Salento, Beni Culturali, Faculty Member
- Bronze and Iron Ages in Italy (Archaeology), Middle Bronze Age, Prehistoric Fortification (Archaeology), Protohistory, Bronze Age (Archaeology), Bronze Age settlement, and 34 moreLandscape Archaeology, Fortified Settlements (Archaeology), Archaeology of destruction, Landscapes in prehistory, Aegean Prehistory (Archaeology), Bronze Age warfare, Beni Culturali, Late Bronze Age archaeology, Survey Research, Bronze Age Archaeology, Archaeology of Southern Italy, Sea Level, Holocene sea level change, Archeologia del paesaggio, Ceramica Appenninica, Scogli Di Apani, Monte Triona, La Ceramica Appenninica Decorata, Insediamenti Fortificati Puglia, Facies Appenninica, Ceramica Bronzo Medio, Bronzo Antico Puglia, Bisacquino Piano Cervi, Archeologia Sperimentale, Experimental Archaeology, Archaeology, Archaeological Method & Theory, Cetina Culture, Chiefdoms (Archaeology), Prehistoric Rock Art, Prehistoric Art, Rock Art (Archaeology), Rock Art, and Rock art researchedit
Research Interests:
An edited volume offering fresh insight into modern approaches to processing large amounts of ceramic finds from settlement excavations, going ‘back to basics’ so to speak. The volume focuses on archaeological practice and more... more
An edited volume offering fresh insight into modern approaches to processing large amounts of ceramic finds from settlement excavations, going ‘back to basics’ so to speak. The volume focuses on archaeological practice and more specifically on factors that determine the methodological choices made by researchers under specific working conditions. In other words: which methodological approach is appropriate to which kind of ceramic assemblage and for which type of stratigraphic context, especially if the analysis is supposed to be completed in a reasonable period of time.
Review by S. Rotroff in American Journal of Archaeology:
http://www.ajaonline.org/sites/default/files/1161_Rotroff.pdf
Review by S. Rotroff in American Journal of Archaeology:
http://www.ajaonline.org/sites/default/files/1161_Rotroff.pdf
Research Interests:
L’insediamento dell’età del Bronzo di Roca è oggi uno dei più importanti siti archeologici per lo studio della protostoria italiana e mediterranea. Nel II millennio a.C. questo luogo aveva una sua peculiare identità sociale, culturale e... more
L’insediamento dell’età del Bronzo di Roca è oggi uno dei più importanti siti archeologici per lo studio della protostoria italiana e mediterranea.
Nel II millennio a.C. questo luogo aveva una sua peculiare identità sociale, culturale e religiosa riconducibile verosimilmente alla presenza del santuario di Grotta Poesia, alle imponenti mura di fortificazione ed all’approdo individuato nella Baia di Torre dell’Orso. La sua posizione geografica gli consentiva di essere il luogo deputato all’attraversamento del Canale d’Otranto e di rivestire un ruolo ‘politico’ ed economico di primo piano nel contesto territoriale sia regionale che transadriatico divenendo uno dei più importanti centri del Mediterraneo, un luogo di incontro e di scambi tra comunità di culture e costumi differenti.
Questo volume, prima di una serie di monografie dedicate a Roca, fornisce un ampio quadro documentario delle fortificazioni della media età del Bronzo distrutte alla fine del XV sec. a.C. da un violento episodio d’incendio seguito probabilmente ad un assedio. Nei corridoi e negli ambienti della porta e delle postierle i crolli delle parti alte delle strutture murarie hanno infatti sepolto e conservato le eccezionali testimonianze di quelle vicende: decine di manufatti ceramici, alcuni fornelli e piastre da focolare, vari resti di pasto, alcuni manufatti in bronzo, gli scheletri di 7 individui morti per asfissia nel tentativo di nascondersi dal nemico e quello di un giovane armato ucciso durante la battaglia.
Nel II millennio a.C. questo luogo aveva una sua peculiare identità sociale, culturale e religiosa riconducibile verosimilmente alla presenza del santuario di Grotta Poesia, alle imponenti mura di fortificazione ed all’approdo individuato nella Baia di Torre dell’Orso. La sua posizione geografica gli consentiva di essere il luogo deputato all’attraversamento del Canale d’Otranto e di rivestire un ruolo ‘politico’ ed economico di primo piano nel contesto territoriale sia regionale che transadriatico divenendo uno dei più importanti centri del Mediterraneo, un luogo di incontro e di scambi tra comunità di culture e costumi differenti.
Questo volume, prima di una serie di monografie dedicate a Roca, fornisce un ampio quadro documentario delle fortificazioni della media età del Bronzo distrutte alla fine del XV sec. a.C. da un violento episodio d’incendio seguito probabilmente ad un assedio. Nei corridoi e negli ambienti della porta e delle postierle i crolli delle parti alte delle strutture murarie hanno infatti sepolto e conservato le eccezionali testimonianze di quelle vicende: decine di manufatti ceramici, alcuni fornelli e piastre da focolare, vari resti di pasto, alcuni manufatti in bronzo, gli scheletri di 7 individui morti per asfissia nel tentativo di nascondersi dal nemico e quello di un giovane armato ucciso durante la battaglia.
Research Interests: Archaeology of Southern Italy, Bronze Age Europe (Archaeology), Bronze Age Archaeology, Aegean Bronze Age (Bronze Age Archaeology), Archaeology of pre-Roman Italy, and 23 moreLate Bronze Age archaeology, Prehistoric Fortification (Archaeology), Bronze Age (Archaeology), Fortified Settlements (Archaeology), Early Bronze Age (Archaeology), Middle Bronze Age, Bronze And Iron Age In Mediterrarranean (Archaeology), Bronze and Iron Ages in Eastern Mediterranean (Archaeology), Protohistory, Greek Fortifications, Aegean Late Bronze Age, Fortifications, Bronze Age, Early Bronze Age, Late Bronze Age, Early Iron Age, Bronze and Iron Ages in Italy (Archaeology), Late Bronze Age, Fortification, Preistoria e protostoria, Archeologia pre-protostorica, Italian Pre- and Protohistory, Fortificazioni Dell'Età Del Bronzo, and Fortificazioni
Research Interests:
This paper focuses on four different cores drilled in the Area Marina Protetta e Riserva dello Stato di Torre Guaceto (Carovigno, Brindisi). The stratigraphic, sedimentological and paleontological characteristics were related to the... more
This paper focuses on four different cores drilled in the Area Marina Protetta e Riserva dello Stato di Torre Guaceto (Carovigno, Brindisi). The stratigraphic, sedimentological and paleontological characteristics were related to the geomorphologic features of the whole area and to the radiometric dating of the peaty levels identi- fied in the stratigraphic sequence; the results have been compared with the available geo-archaeological data. The complete data-set allowed to reconstruct the succession of sedimentary environments over time and to place these across the last 2200 years, thanks to radiometric dating. In the stratigraphic sequence, it was possible to highlight layers that indicate coastal areas marked by the presence of inlets in connection with the sea, areas submerged during tides and brackish or continental areas. In particular, the research demonstrat- ed, with good approximation, that the sea level had to be stationed at about -1.1 ± 0.1 m approximately 2200 years BP; then it went to about -0.65 ± 0.1 m about 1900 years BP and continued its rise to the current position. Finally, the comparison of the stratigraphic data with the geophysical predicted sea level curve for the late Holocene indicates that vertical movements in this span of time did not affect this area. This confirms what has recently been established for this area as re- gards the stability of the Adriatic side of the Apulian foreland.
Research Interests: Archaeology, Prehistoric Archaeology, Geoarchaeology, GeoArcheology, Landscape Archaeology, and 7 moreBronze Age Europe (Archaeology), Bronze Age Archaeology, Holocene sea level change, Mediterranean archaeology, Holocene, Geoarchaeology and Paleoenvironmental Reconstructions, and Holocene environmental change
We investigated archaeological sites located along the coasts of central Apulia (Italy) to estimate the relative sea level changes which have occurred in this region since the Bronze Age, and test the most recent model of predicted sea... more
We investigated archaeological sites located along the coasts of central Apulia (Italy) to estimate the relative sea level changes which have occurred in this region since the Bronze Age, and test the most recent model of predicted sea level for this region. Surveys focused on six sites located on both the Adriatic and Ionian coasts of Apulia at the feet of the carbonatic Murge plateau, a tectonically stable zone as of the last 125 ka. The sites present the remains of ancient settlements, ranging from the Bronze Age (circa II millennium BC), to the Messapian and Magna Grecia Age (c. 2.5 ka BP), the Roman (c. 2 ka BP) and Middle Ages (c. 1 ka BP). The archaeological sea level markers investigated in these sites provided new insight into the history of the relative sea level changes which have occurred in this region during the last c. 3.3 ka BP. Data from 17 archaeological settlements from the above-mentioned sites, placed above or below the present sea level, were analyzed. The intervening relative sea level changes successive to their construction were estimated via the submergence of the functional elevations of significant architectural features related to the mean sea level at the time during which the settlements were functioning. The r.s.l. changes were estimated using detailed topographic surveys, tide analyses and/or hydrodynamic equations. Although not all archaeological markers allowed univocal interpretations, r.s.l. rise at about 2.25 ± 0.20 m as of the Bronze Age, and at least 0.90 ± 0.20 m in the last 2.0/1.5 ka was estimated. A comparison between the elevation of the marker and two different predicted sea level models seems to confirm a tectonic stability of the investigated region in the last c. 3.3 ka BP.
Research Interests: Archaeology, Classical Archaeology, Prehistoric Archaeology, Landscape Archaeology, Medieval Archaeology, and 9 moreArchaeology of Southern Italy, Bronze Age Europe (Archaeology), Late Bronze Age archaeology, Bronze Age (Archaeology), Holocene sea level change, Bronze Age, Bronze and Iron Ages in Italy (Archaeology), Sea Level Changes, and Roman Archaeology
This paper describes the design and development of mobile applications that use Augmented Reality technology (AR) and virtual reality (VR) to improve the dissemination of the archaeological evidence found at the State Nature Reserve and... more
This paper describes the design and development of mobile applications that use Augmented Reality technology (AR) and virtual reality (VR) to improve the dissemination of the archaeological evidence found at the State Nature Reserve and Protected Marine Area of Torre Guaceto (Brindisi); the finds are part of the Bronze Age fortified settlement of Scogli di Apani. In more general terms, they also help in understanding the natural and anthropic character of its coastal territory during the second millennium B.C.
Research Interests: Archaeology, Prehistoric Archaeology, Landscape Archaeology, Digital Media, Mediterranean prehistory, and 22 moreDigital Archaeology, Bronze Age Europe (Archaeology), Bronze Age Archaeology, Late Bronze Age archaeology, Digital Photogrammetry applied to Archaeology, Bronze Age (Archaeology), Digital reconstruction (Archaeology), Early Bronze Age (Archaeology), Middle Bronze Age, Bronze And Iron Age In Mediterrarranean (Archaeology), Protohistory, Bronze Age, Early Bronze Age, Late Bronze Age, Early Iron Age, Bronze and Iron Ages in Italy (Archaeology), Late Bronze Age, Mediterranean Protohistory, European Protohistory, Italian Pre- and Protohistory, Archaeology/Digital Humanities, Protohistoire, and Protohistoric Archaeology
The Middle Bronze Age fortification walls of Roca stand out in the scenario of the Italian protohistory. The sudden destruction by fire after a siege of the settlement at the end of the 15th century BC permitted the extraordinary state of... more
The Middle Bronze Age fortification walls of Roca stand out in the scenario of the Italian protohistory. The sudden destruction by fire after a siege of the settlement at the end of the 15th century BC permitted the extraordinary state of preservation of the monumental structures discovered so far, most of all the Monumental Gate.
The fortification was built, used and recognised both as a defensive work and a territorial limit as well as a crossing place and a monument of political/cultural self-representation.
Key-WorDs: Middle Bronze Age, fortification walls, postern gates, siege, spatial analysis.
The fortification was built, used and recognised both as a defensive work and a territorial limit as well as a crossing place and a monument of political/cultural self-representation.
Key-WorDs: Middle Bronze Age, fortification walls, postern gates, siege, spatial analysis.
Research Interests: Archaeology, Prehistoric Archaeology, Mediterranean prehistory, Bronze Age Europe (Archaeology), Bronze Age Archaeology, and 16 moreAegean Bronze Age (Bronze Age Archaeology), Prehistoric Settlement, Late Bronze Age archaeology, Prehistoric Fortification (Archaeology), Prehistoric Europe (Archaeology), Bronze Age (Archaeology), Fortified Settlements (Archaeology), Middle Bronze Age, European Prehistory (Archaeology), Bronze And Iron Age In Mediterrarranean (Archaeology), Prehistory, Fortifications, Bronze Age, Bronze and Iron Ages in Italy (Archaeology), Prehistoric Archeology, and Late Bronze Age
ROCA. THE MIDDLE BRONZE AGE SETTLEMENT AND FORTIFICATION WALLS - The most ancient layers investigated in the dwelling area of the protohistoric site of Roca probably date back to a late Protoapenninic phase, but currently the Middle... more
ROCA. THE MIDDLE BRONZE AGE SETTLEMENT AND FORTIFICATION WALLS - The most ancient layers investigated in the dwelling area of the protohistoric site of Roca probably date back to a late Protoapenninic phase, but currently the Middle Bronze Age settlement is well known for the striking evidence of the Apenninic fortification walls.The great fire, probably produced by a siege, destroyed the fortifications making the upper parts of the masonry to collapse burying the original contents of these spaces (posterns, gate and each area connected to the fortification) as it was shortly before the destruction. Inside the posterns there were tens of handmade complete pottery vessels preserving their functional position in association with different artefacts and next to mud-hearth plates and cooking stands.The most extraordinary discovery came from Postern C: several vessels were grouped in 3 different areas. In a fourth zone, at the western end of the corridor, another group of vessels was associated to 7 complete human skeletons, two adults, a juvenile and four children. Apparently, during the siege the members of this group had taken refuge within the corridor and finally tried to hide behind a heap of vessels. Unfortunately, they all died from asphyxia caused by the fire set to the fortification wall. The archaeological record from Postern C provides a unique possibility to correlate the quantitative, qualitative and spatial data relative to the artifacts assemblages, with the human group which had brought in those objects in order to survive in that space, had planned their spatial distribution, and had used them.The skeletal remains found in the Chamber S of the Monumental Gate can be related to the same warlike event: the male individual was probably killed during an armed conflict (he has an unhealed wound on a rib) and he had an Aegean-type bronze dagger and a Levantine-type duck pyxis made of hip- popotamus ivory.Nowadays the evidences related to the Middle Bronze Age dwelling area are still irregular and hetero- geneous: investigations showed the presence of organized open-air areas near the defensive wall (SAS VI 2004), remains of a well preserved hut (SAS X 2005) and some hypogeous and semi-hypogeous structures possibly related to religious activities.
Research Interests: Archaeology, Prehistoric Archaeology, Landscape Archaeology, Bronze Age Europe (Archaeology), Bronze Age Archaeology, and 16 moreAegean Bronze Age (Bronze Age Archaeology), Late Bronze Age archaeology, Prehistoric Fortification (Archaeology), Bronze Age (Archaeology), Fortified Settlements (Archaeology), Early Bronze Age (Archaeology), Middle Bronze Age, Bronze And Iron Age In Mediterrarranean (Archaeology), Bronze and Iron Ages in Eastern Mediterranean (Archaeology), Aegean Late Bronze Age, Fortifications, Bronze Age, Early Bronze Age, Late Bronze Age, Early Iron Age, Bronze and Iron Ages in Italy (Archaeology), and Late Bronze Age
The Middle Bronze Age fortified settlement of Scogli di Apani (Brindisi). Excavations 2008, 2009, 2011 - The investigations of coastal landscape archaeology in the State Natural Reserve and Marine Protected Area of Torre Guaceto (BR)... more
The Middle Bronze Age fortified settlement of Scogli di Apani (Brindisi). Excavations 2008, 2009, 2011 - The investigations of coastal landscape archaeology in the State Natural Reserve and Marine Protected Area of Torre Guaceto (BR) started in 2007. In 2008, 2009 and 2011 archaeological excavations took place at the greater islet of Scogli di Apani; these two islands have a total extension of about 1,5 ha and they probably are what today still remains of a larger peninsula slowly eroded and partially submerged by the rising of the sea level during the last millennia. In the Sector A (about 30m2) the investigation allowed to provide the evidence of a small part of a dwelling structure (hut 1) destroyed by fire; many fragments of daub, the remains of a mud-hearth plate and some handmade impasto containers (mainly closed shapes) were found still in situ. In the Sector B (about 95m2) it was possible to recognize the remains of a large dwelling construction (hut 2) destroyed by fire too; the structural evidences are several postholes, some remains of stonework bases, 5 different mud-hearth plates and a large quantity of daub fragments. moreover many artefacts were found a good state of preservation and in their functional situation on the floor of the hut: numerous handmade impasto vessels, some bone and antler tools, many stone artefacts and some ornaments. The analysis of the handmade local pottery allows to date these evidences to the late protoapennine or to the ancient apennine.
Research Interests: Archaeology, Prehistoric Archaeology, Landscape Archaeology, Bronze Age Europe (Archaeology), Bronze Age Archaeology, and 15 moreAegean Bronze Age (Bronze Age Archaeology), Late Bronze Age archaeology, Prehistoric Fortification (Archaeology), Bronze Age (Archaeology), Fortified Settlements (Archaeology), Early Bronze Age (Archaeology), Middle Bronze Age, Bronze And Iron Age In Mediterrarranean (Archaeology), Fortifications, Bronze Age, Early Bronze Age, Late Bronze Age, Early Iron Age, Bronze and Iron Ages in Italy (Archaeology), Late Bronze Age, and Fortification
Scogli di ApanI (BR): mud-hearth plates from the hut 2 - The archaeological excavations at Scogli di Apani during 2008, 2009 and 2011 allowed the investigation of two Middle Bronze Age huts; 5 different mud-hearth plates have been... more
Scogli di ApanI (BR): mud-hearth plates from the hut 2 - The archaeological excavations at Scogli di Apani during 2008, 2009 and 2011 allowed the investigation of two Middle Bronze Age huts; 5 different mud-hearth plates have been discovered within the excavated area (about 100m2) of the so-called hut 2. The manufacturing technique of these structures is the same documented in some other coeval settlements of southern Italy: at the bottom it was carefully arranged a potsherd preparation level (or sometimes a pebble level) on which there was a thick layer of clay and then the functional ring surface. The best preserved mud-hearth plates have a patchy circular shape and a maximum diameter of about 1m. One of these mud-hearth plates, US 178, shows a unique decoration of the outer edge made of unevenly vertical impressions; a narrow and regular mark also runs on the ring surface along the perimeter near the edge. To date this decorated mud-hearth plate is an unicum in protohistoric southern Italy.
Research Interests: Archaeology, Prehistoric Archaeology, Bronze Age Europe (Archaeology), Bronze Age Archaeology, Late Bronze Age archaeology, and 7 moreBronze Age (Archaeology), Middle Bronze Age, Bronze And Iron Age In Mediterrarranean (Archaeology), Bronze Age, Late Bronze Age, Early Iron Age, Bronze and Iron Ages in Italy (Archaeology), and Late Bronze Age
Coastal fortifIed settlements of southern Apulia during the first half of the 2nd millennium BC - At the very beginning of the II millennium BC many forti ed settlements were along the Adriatic and Ionian coasts of the Apulia and to a... more
Coastal fortifIed settlements of southern Apulia during the first half of the 2nd millennium BC - At the very beginning of the II millennium BC many forti ed settlements were along the Adriatic and Ionian coasts of the Apulia and to a lesser extent in inland areas; the defense works were made up of dry-stone walls or earthworks sometimes associated with a moat. The most part of these settlements is placed in the territory of the Salento peninsula: they often stand on higher headlands especially along low and rocky shorelines or near to creeks and downrivers. Stratigraphic association with indigenous handmade pottery allow us to date these forti cation walls to local Protoappennine and Appennine facies. This pattern of settlement was probably intended to meet the need to defend both the settlements and the surrounding territory under their control; this should be seen as an indicator of a wider protohistoric framework of social and economic competition caused by the interaction of different local communities and Aegean groups.
Research Interests: Archaeology, Prehistoric Archaeology, Landscape Archaeology, Bronze Age Europe (Archaeology), Bronze Age Archaeology, and 13 moreAegean Bronze Age (Bronze Age Archaeology), Late Bronze Age archaeology, Prehistoric Fortification (Archaeology), Bronze Age (Archaeology), Fortified Settlements (Archaeology), Middle Bronze Age, Bronze And Iron Age In Mediterrarranean (Archaeology), Fortifications, Bronze Age, Late Bronze Age, Early Iron Age, Bronze and Iron Ages in Italy (Archaeology), Late Bronze Age, and Fortification
GeoarchaeologIcal perspective to the reconstruction of coastal landscapes and settlement strategies of the Bronze Age Salento - Investigations of coastal landscape archaeology conducted over the last 10 years on the Adriatic and Ionian... more
GeoarchaeologIcal perspective to the reconstruction of coastal landscapes and settlement strategies of the Bronze Age Salento - Investigations of coastal landscape archaeology conducted over the last 10 years on the Adriatic and Ionian coastlines of the Salento allowed us to map many geoarchaeological markers of relative sea level changes; these data can give us accurate information on late Holocene phenomena of marine transgression offering a good opportunity to submit some fresh proposals of paleogeographic reconstructions of these territories. A particular attention was paid to the analysis of spatial, chronological and functional data of a group of archaeological markers (sunken and not) connected with forti ed and open settlements dated to the rst half of the II millennium BC. Torre Santa Sabina, Torre Guaceto-Scogli di Apani and Scalo di Furno-Porto Cesareo stand out among long-lived settlements for the relevance of the research outcomes. Many archaeological evidences (forti cation walls, moats, pavements, occupation layers, dwelling structures, etc.) mark the ancient position and height of the relative sea level, but postholes have a leading role. The mapping and recording of these structural elements allow us to reconstruct the real extension of Bronze Age inhabited areas.
Research Interests: Archaeology, Prehistoric Archaeology, Geoarchaeology, GeoArcheology, Landscape Archaeology, and 15 moreBronze Age Europe (Archaeology), Bronze Age Archaeology, Late Bronze Age archaeology, Bronze Age (Archaeology), Archeologia, Middle Bronze Age, Bronze And Iron Age In Mediterrarranean (Archaeology), Bronze Age, Coastal geoarchaeology, Late Bronze Age, Early Iron Age, Bronze and Iron Ages in Italy (Archaeology), Late Bronze Age, Geoarchaeology and Paleoenvironmental Reconstructions, Quaternary Geoarchaeology, and Archeology
Research Interests: Archaeology of Southern Italy, Bronze Age Europe (Archaeology), Bronze Age Archaeology, Aegean Bronze Age (Bronze Age Archaeology), Late Bronze Age archaeology, and 9 morePrehistoric Fortification (Archaeology), Bronze Age (Archaeology), Fortified Settlements (Archaeology), Early Bronze Age (Archaeology), Middle Bronze Age, Protohistory, Fortifications, Bronze and Iron Ages in Italy (Archaeology), and Late Bronze Age
The date of 22oo BC corresponds conventionally in Italy and Sicily to the transition between the Copper and the Bronze Ages. The discussion will proceed by considering three major geographic sub-areas – south-western Italy, corresponding... more
The date of 22oo BC corresponds conventionally in Italy and Sicily to the transition between the Copper and the Bronze Ages. The discussion will proceed by considering three major geographic sub-areas – south-western Italy, corresponding to Campania and Calabria, south-eastern Italy, corresponding to Apulia and Basilicata, and Sicily – and a subdivision into four main chronological phases. The first phase, corresponding to an early stage of the Late Copper Age dating roughly from 28oo/275o BC to 26oo/255o BC, sees the diffusion of the Laterza Culture groups across southern Italy and the Malpasso Culture in Sicily (the latter, probably with an earlier origin, is sometimes associated with the so-called Sant’Ippolito painted style). The second phase, corresponding to an advanced stage of the Late Copper Age, probably starts around 26oo/255oBC and ends somewhere around 235o/23ooBC. During this period, processes of local evolution and changes in previous traditions are seen, together with a limited introduction of the »international« Bell Beaker Culture group (fairly common only in western Sicily). The third phase, corresponding to a final stage of the Late Copper Age, spans from 235o/23ooBC to 215o/21ooBC. This is a phase of transition, during which we see a disappearance or a marked weakening of older traditions (Laterza and Malpasso), and the spread of new Culture groups and ceramic styles. In southern Italy, Cetina-related cultural elements of trans-Adriatic origin spread, and in Sicily, besides some artefacts relating to a late Beaker tradition and a very limited presence of Cetina-related pottery (sometimes called »Thermi Ware«), painted potteries of the so-called Naro-Partanna style appear, a style preluding to the subsequent Castelluccio Culture group. The fourth phase corresponds to the Early Bronze Age, beginning around 215o/21ooBC and ending at approximately 165oBC. This period is characterised by regional long-lasting archaeological facies like Palma Campania, prov. Naples, in Campania (evolving within the Protoapennine Culture group in a late phase of the Early Bronze Age); Cessaniti, prov. Vibo Valentia, in Calabria; Capo Graziano 1, prov. Messina, in the Aeolian Islands, and Castelluccio, prov. Syracuse, in Sicily (coexisting with the Rodì-Tindari-Vallelunga Culture group).
Phenomena of depopulation and cultural discontinuity are attested in peninsular Italy, and mainly correspond to the earliest phase of transition from the Late Copper Age to the Early Bronze Age, dating to the late 22nd century BC and early 21st century BC.
Phenomena of depopulation and cultural discontinuity are attested in peninsular Italy, and mainly correspond to the earliest phase of transition from the Late Copper Age to the Early Bronze Age, dating to the late 22nd century BC and early 21st century BC.
Research Interests: Bronze Age Europe (Archaeology), Bronze Age Archaeology, Aegean Bronze Age (Bronze Age Archaeology), Bronze Age (Archaeology), Early Bronze Age (Archaeology), and 5 moreBronze and Iron Ages in Eastern Mediterranean (Archaeology), Early Bronze Age, Bronze and Iron Ages in Italy (Archaeology), Eneolithic, and Copper age
The Bronze Age site of Roca Vecchia, Lecce (Italy), spelled also Rocavecchia or Roca, is a long-lived coastal settlement pro- tected by a large fortification wall, which was repeatedly de- stroyed, rebuilt and restored over the centuries... more
The Bronze Age site of Roca Vecchia, Lecce (Italy), spelled also Rocavecchia or Roca, is a long-lived coastal settlement pro- tected by a large fortification wall, which was repeatedly de- stroyed, rebuilt and restored over the centuries between the Middle Bronze Age and Final Bronze Age. During the 2nd mil- lennium BC this place probably had its own social, cultural and religious identity probably related to the cave-sanctuary of »Grotta Poesia«, to the impressive fortification wall and to the natural harbour of the Bay of Torre dell’Orso. Extensive archaeological investigations of the Final Bronze Age II (11th century BC) settlement enclosed by the fortification wall on the peninsula of Roca revealed a quite regular arrange- ment of buildings and open spaces which were completely destroyed by a great fire. The best preserved of these struc- tures is the so-called »hut-temple« – an outstanding assem- blage of metal artefacts was found in this context. Among the many bronze and gold items included in the »hoard of gold« and in the »hoard of bronze«, or simply recovered on the floor level of the building, there were two pairs of golden sun discs.
Research Interests:
The Bronze age site of Roca is a long-lived coastal settlement ever protected by a large fortification wall, which was repeatedly destroyed, rebuilt and restored over the centuries between the Middle and Final Bronze Ages. The analysis of... more
The Bronze age site of Roca is a long-lived coastal settlement
ever protected by a large fortification wall, which was repeatedly destroyed, rebuilt and restored over the centuries between the Middle and Final Bronze Ages. The analysis of the remains of the Late Apennine (MBA) fortifications have revealed a plan of the enceinte with a monumental main entrance and at least five postern gates. The defensive wall was destroyed by a great fire, probably subsequent to a siege, which caused the collapse
of the stonework structures, and burned down the settlement almost completely. The excavation of the rubble filling from the posterns’ long corridors and the Monumental Gate showed that the original contents of these spaces were sealed in their functional situation as it was shortly before the destruction. The most extraordinary discovery came from Postern C: several vessels were grouped in three different areas. In a fourth zone, at the western end of the corridor, another group of vessels was associated to seven complete human skeletons, two adults, a juvenile and four children. Apparently, during the siege the members of this group had taken refuge within the corridor and finally tried to hide behind a heap of vessels. Unfortunately, they all died from asphyxia caused by the fire set to the fortification wall. The archaeological record from Postern C provides a unique possibility to correlate the quantitative, qualitative and spatial data relative to the artifacts assemblages, with the human group which had brought in those objects in order to survive in that space, had planned their spatial distribution, and had used them.
ever protected by a large fortification wall, which was repeatedly destroyed, rebuilt and restored over the centuries between the Middle and Final Bronze Ages. The analysis of the remains of the Late Apennine (MBA) fortifications have revealed a plan of the enceinte with a monumental main entrance and at least five postern gates. The defensive wall was destroyed by a great fire, probably subsequent to a siege, which caused the collapse
of the stonework structures, and burned down the settlement almost completely. The excavation of the rubble filling from the posterns’ long corridors and the Monumental Gate showed that the original contents of these spaces were sealed in their functional situation as it was shortly before the destruction. The most extraordinary discovery came from Postern C: several vessels were grouped in three different areas. In a fourth zone, at the western end of the corridor, another group of vessels was associated to seven complete human skeletons, two adults, a juvenile and four children. Apparently, during the siege the members of this group had taken refuge within the corridor and finally tried to hide behind a heap of vessels. Unfortunately, they all died from asphyxia caused by the fire set to the fortification wall. The archaeological record from Postern C provides a unique possibility to correlate the quantitative, qualitative and spatial data relative to the artifacts assemblages, with the human group which had brought in those objects in order to survive in that space, had planned their spatial distribution, and had used them.
Research Interests: Functional Analysis, Archaeology of Southern Italy, Bronze Age Europe (Archaeology), Bronze Age Archaeology, Archaeology of pre-Roman Italy, and 13 moreLate Bronze Age archaeology, Prehistoric Fortification (Archaeology), Bronze Age (Archaeology), Spatial analysis (Archaeology), Fortified Settlements (Archaeology), Middle Bronze Age, Protohistory, Fortifications, Bronze Age, Bronze and Iron Ages in Italy (Archaeology), Protohistoric Europe, Pottery technology and function, and Italian Pre- and Protohistory
Research Interests:
... Analysing Pottery: Processing, Classification, Publication. Barbara Horejs, Reinhard Jung, and Peter Pavúk, eds. Reviewed by Susan I. Rotroff. Free PDF. Studia Archaeologia et Medievalia 10. Pp. 324, figs. 127, graphs 2, tables 11,... more
... Analysing Pottery: Processing, Classification, Publication. Barbara Horejs, Reinhard Jung, and Peter Pavúk, eds. Reviewed by Susan I. Rotroff. Free PDF. Studia Archaeologia et Medievalia 10. Pp. 324, figs. 127, graphs 2, tables 11, diagrams 16. ...
Research Interests:
Research Interests: Archaeology of Southern Italy, Bronze Age Europe (Archaeology), Bronze Age Archaeology, Archaeology of pre-Roman Italy, Prehistoric Fortification (Archaeology), and 5 moreBronze Age (Archaeology), Fortified Settlements (Archaeology), Middle Bronze Age, Fortifications, and Bronze and Iron Ages in Italy (Archaeology)
L’insediamento dell’età del Bronzo di Roca è oggi uno dei più importanti siti archeologici per lo studio della protostoria italiana e mediterranea. Le fortificazioni della media età del Bronzo, distrutte alla fine del XV sec. a.C. da un... more
L’insediamento dell’età del Bronzo di Roca è oggi uno dei più importanti siti archeologici per lo studio della protostoria italiana e mediterranea. Le fortificazioni della media età del Bronzo, distrutte alla fine del XV sec. a.C. da un violento episodio d’incendio seguito probabilmente ad un assedio, sono conservate per quasi 200m di lunghezza, con uno spessore massimo di oltre 20m ed un’altezza anche superiore a 3m. La Porta Monumentale, una delle più importanti architetture della protostoria mediterranea per complessità progettuale e stato di conservazione, è stata oggetto di diverse campagne di indagine archeologica e di vari interventi di carattere conservativo finalizzati a ridurre al minimo i processi di degrado dei materiali costruttivi e consentire la progettazione di interventi di fruizione e valorizzazione.
The Bronze Age settlement of Roca is currently one of the most important archaeological site in the panorama of the Italian and Mediterranean protohistory. Middle Bronze Age fortification walls were destroyed by a great fire, probably subsequent to a siege, at the end of the 15th century BC; these defensive structures, about 190m long today, have a maximum thickness of 23m together with a maximum height of more than 3m. The architectural complex of the Monumental Gate is one of the most important piece of testimony in the Mediterranean protohistory, in terms of both its planimetric complexity and its state of preservation. The archaeological investigations and the restoration works conducted on this monument during the last 20 years for reasons of both knowledge and conservation, also allow us to plan valorization and managing projects for public use.
The Bronze Age settlement of Roca is currently one of the most important archaeological site in the panorama of the Italian and Mediterranean protohistory. Middle Bronze Age fortification walls were destroyed by a great fire, probably subsequent to a siege, at the end of the 15th century BC; these defensive structures, about 190m long today, have a maximum thickness of 23m together with a maximum height of more than 3m. The architectural complex of the Monumental Gate is one of the most important piece of testimony in the Mediterranean protohistory, in terms of both its planimetric complexity and its state of preservation. The archaeological investigations and the restoration works conducted on this monument during the last 20 years for reasons of both knowledge and conservation, also allow us to plan valorization and managing projects for public use.
Research Interests: Prehistoric Archaeology, Bronze Age Europe (Archaeology), Bronze Age Archaeology, Prehistoric Fortification (Archaeology), Bronze Age (Archaeology), and 8 moreMiddle Bronze Age, Protohistory, Fortifications, Bronze Age, Età del Bronzo, Italian Pre- and Protohistory, Protohistoric Archaeology, and Fortificazioni Dell'Età Del Bronzo
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The archaeological research (excavation 2005) in the area near the inside front of the protohistoric fortification walls showed a very important stratigraphical sequence constituted by five building events. Many archaeological finds were... more
The archaeological research (excavation 2005) in the area near the inside front of the protohistoric fortification walls showed a very important stratigraphical sequence constituted by five building events. Many archaeological finds were found on the floors of the huts and in their nearest external areas: they were local hand-made pottery, Aegean imports, faunal and botanical remains, metal and lithic tools, cooking stands and hard animal tissues. The pottery’s typological and cultural analysis along with the calibrate radiometric datings allow to describe five different phases from the Middle Bronze Age 3 to the Final Bronze Age 2
and to define a primarily chronological-cultural sequence of the site.
and to define a primarily chronological-cultural sequence of the site.
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In the Porto Cesareo (Lecce, Italy) coastal area, submerged and semi-submerged archaeological evidence has been uncovered by recent preliminary surveys carried out in close collaboration with the local marine protected area (MPA): (a) a... more
In the Porto Cesareo (Lecce, Italy) coastal area, submerged and semi-submerged archaeological evidence has been uncovered by recent preliminary surveys carried out in close collaboration with the local marine protected area (MPA): (a) a navis lapidaria wreck of the Roman imperial age; (b) various scattered and decontextualised finds; (c) a beached wreck, probably medieval; (d) some submerged built-structures that are part of the Bronze Age Scalo di Furno settlement; and (e) remains of structures (walls, buildings, burial areas). The last three pieces of evidence allow for the hypothesis of a significantly different ancient coastal landscape than that of the present and a ‘dynamic’ scenario
over the centuries.
over the centuries.
Research Interests: Geoarchaeology, Landscape Archaeology, Archaeology of Southern Italy, Bronze Age Archaeology, Archaeology of pre-Roman Italy, and 11 morePrehistoric Fortification (Archaeology), Bronze Age (Archaeology), Underwater Archaeology, Fortified Settlements (Archaeology), Holocene sea level change, Middle Bronze Age, Mediterranean Underwater Archaeology, Protohistory, Ancient Shipwrecks, Coastal geoarchaeology, and Italian Pre- and Protohistory
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Research Interests: Archaeology of Southern Italy, Bronze Age Europe (Archaeology), Late Bronze Age archaeology, Prehistoric Fortification (Archaeology), Bronze Age (Archaeology), and 6 moreUnderwater Archaeology, Fortified Settlements (Archaeology), Middle Bronze Age, Protohistory, Bronze and Iron Ages in Italy (Archaeology), and Italian Pre- and Protohistory
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Research Interests: Archaeology, Maritime Archaeology, Landscape Archaeology, Archaeology of Southern Italy, Bronze Age Europe (Archaeology), and 24 moreBronze Age Archaeology, Archaeology of pre-Roman Italy, Late Bronze Age archaeology, Prehistoric Fortification (Archaeology), Bronze Age (Archaeology), Nautical Archaeology, Fortified Settlements (Archaeology), Mediterranean archaeology, Middle Bronze Age, Protohistory, Iron Age, Protohistoric Iberian Peninsula, Fortifications, Ancient Topography, Bronze and Iron Ages in Italy (Archaeology), Late Bronze Age, Preistoria e protostoria, Commensality, Phoenician trade, Ritual Practices, Enviromental Archaeology, Geo Archeology, Mediterrranean Archaeology, and Islands Archaeology
Lungo le coste e le aree paralitorali della Puglia adriatica e ionica all’inizio del II millennio a.C. numerosi sono gli insediamenti provvisti di opere di fortificazione costituite da muraglioni in pietrame a secco e/o terrapieni. La... more
Lungo le coste e le aree paralitorali della Puglia adriatica e ionica all’inizio del II millennio a.C. numerosi sono gli insediamenti provvisti di opere di fortificazione costituite da muraglioni in pietrame a secco e/o terrapieni. La penisola salentina, in particolare, è il territorio che ad oggi consta del maggior numero di attestazioni; gli insediamenti occupano per lo più posizioni riconducibili a lievi o moderati alti topografici (promontori, terrazzi, speroni) posti prevalentemente lungo litorali bassi e rocciosi o sulle anse del basso corso di canali e solchi torrentizi. L’estensione (attuale) di questi abitati nella gran parte dei casi non supera i 3 ettari e le opere di difesa delimitano sempre il versante rivolto verso l’entroterra con tracciati più o meno arcuati conservati oggi per una lunghezza compresa mediamente tra 200 e 300 metri. Le strutture di fortificazione per le quali si disponga di dati di scavo contestuali in grado di fornire elementi di dettaglio riferibili alla tecnica ed ai materiali costruttivi, alla topografia generale oltre che alla planimetria delle singole articolazioni sono poche; numerose invece le segnalazioni relative a murature rintracciate dall’analisi di foto aeree o parzialmente visibili sul piano di campagna o nelle sezioni esposte a causa dei fenomeni di dilavamento ed erosione o anche, in una circostanza, individuate per alcuni tratti sui fondali antistanti l’insediamento. In tutti i casi le fortificazioni sembrano potersi ricondurre, spesso per associazione stratigrafica diretta, ad orizzonti culturali protoappenninici e/o appenninici. Il fenomeno nel suo complesso sembra rispondere ad una generalizzata necessità di acquisire il controllo territoriale di posizioni strategiche nel quadro di un tessuto di competizione sociale ed economica in cui probabilmente interagiscono comunità indigene con interessi diversificati e gruppi allogeni.
Research Interests: Landscape Archaeology, Settlement Patterns, Bronze Age Europe (Archaeology), Bronze Age Archaeology, Archaeology of pre-Roman Italy, and 10 morePrehistoric Settlement, Late Bronze Age archaeology, Prehistoric Fortification (Archaeology), Bronze Age (Archaeology), Fortified Settlements (Archaeology), Middle Bronze Age, Bronze And Iron Age In Mediterrarranean (Archaeology), Fortifications, Bronze Age, and Bronze and Iron Ages in Italy (Archaeology)
Le ricerche di archeologia del paesaggio costiero condotte negli ultimi 10 anni lungo i versanti adriatico e ionico della Penisola Salentina hanno consentito la mappatura di una serie consistente di markers geo-archeologici di variazione... more
Le ricerche di archeologia del paesaggio costiero condotte negli ultimi 10 anni lungo i versanti adriatico e ionico della Penisola Salentina hanno consentito la mappatura di una serie consistente di markers geo-archeologici di variazione relativa del livello del mare in grado di fornire indicazioni puntuali sui fenomeni tardo-olocenici di trasgressione marina e consentendo dunque di avanzare alcune ipotesi di ricostruzione paleogeografica di specifici comparti territoriali. Particolare attenzione è stata rivolta all’analisi dei dati spaziali, cronologici e funzionali di una serie di indicatori archeologici (emersi e/o sommersi) riferibili agli insediamenti costieri fortificati e non risalenti alla prima metà del II millennio a.C. ed alla loro correlazione con l’evoluzione locale dei lineamenti geografici ed ambientali. Tra i siti di lunga durata oggetto di indagine risultati di particolare rilievo sono stati raggiunti nel contesto dei progetti avviati a Torre S. Sabina, Torre Guaceto-Scogli di Apani, Roca e Scalo di Furno-Porto Cesareo. Tra le numerose evidenze archeologiche in grado di fornire indicazioni diacroniche circa la posizione e l’altezza relativa del livello del mare antico (mura di fortificazione, fossati, piani pavimentali, livelli di occupazione, strutture d’abitato, etc.) le buche di palo hanno certamente un ruolo di primo piano laddove siano state scavate almeno in parte nel banco di roccia. La mappatura e la schedatura di questi elementi strutturali posti a quote differenti al di sopra e, talvolta, anche al di sotto del livello del mare su ampie superfici oggi completamente prive di elementi antropici antichi a causa dell’azione degli agenti erosivi meteo-marini, consentono di disporre di numerosi elementi utili ad una parziale ricostruzione degli insediamenti e del paesaggio dell’età del Bronzo.
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Research Interests: Archaeology, Prehistoric Archaeology, Landscape Archaeology, Mediterranean prehistory, Bronze Age Europe (Archaeology), and 17 moreBronze Age Archaeology, Religion and ritual in prehistory, Late Bronze Age archaeology, Prehistoric Fortification (Archaeology), Prehistoric Art, Bronze Age (Archaeology), Fortified Settlements (Archaeology), Middle Bronze Age, European Prehistory (Archaeology), Bronze And Iron Age In Mediterrarranean (Archaeology), Prehistory, Prehistoric Rock Art, Fortifications, Bronze Age, Bronze and Iron Ages in Italy (Archaeology), Prehistoric Archeology, and Late Bronze Age
Research Interests: Prehistoric Archaeology, Mediterranean prehistory, Digital Archaeology, Bronze Age Europe (Archaeology), Bronze Age Archaeology, and 19 moreLate Bronze Age archaeology, Digital Photogrammetry applied to Archaeology, Bronze Age (Archaeology), Digital reconstruction (Archaeology), Early Bronze Age (Archaeology), Middle Bronze Age, European Prehistory (Archaeology), Bronze And Iron Age In Mediterrarranean (Archaeology), Prehistory, Protohistory, Bronze Age, Early Bronze Age, Late Bronze Age, Mediterranean Protohistory, European Protohistory, Italian Pre- and Protohistory, Archaeology/Digital Humanities, Protohistoric Archaeology, and Digital Archaoelogy
Le tragiche testimonianze di una battaglia svoltasi durante l'età del Bronzo sono state documentate dalle ricerche in un santuario costiero del Salento riportato in luce nella splendida cornice della Baia di Torre dell'Orso nelle cui... more
Le tragiche testimonianze di una battaglia svoltasi durante l'età del Bronzo sono state documentate dalle ricerche in un santuario costiero del Salento riportato in luce nella splendida cornice della Baia di Torre dell'Orso nelle cui vicinanze si trova la vasta area archeologica di Roca Vecchia: la documentazione di questo sanguinoso fatto d'arme del II millennio a.C. ci porta a riflettere sulla costante della guerra nella storia dell'umanità
Research Interests: Prehistoric Archaeology, Mediterranean prehistory, Bronze Age Europe (Archaeology), Bronze Age Archaeology, Aegean Prehistory (Archaeology), and 14 moreLate Bronze Age archaeology, Prehistoric Fortification (Archaeology), Prehistoric Art, Bronze Age (Archaeology), South Italian Archaeology, Middle Bronze Age, Prehistory, Ancient Warfare, Prehistoric Rock Art, Fortifications, Bronze Age, Late Bronze Age, Ancient Weapons and Warfare, and Italian Bronze Age Archaeology
Southern Italy was characterised by a complex prehistory that started with different Palaeolithic cultures, later followed by the Neolithic transition and the demic dispersal from the Pontic-Caspian Steppe during the Bronze Age.... more
Southern Italy was characterised by a complex prehistory that started with different Palaeolithic cultures, later followed by the Neolithic transition and the demic dispersal from the Pontic-Caspian Steppe during the Bronze Age. Archaeological and historical evidence points to demic and cultural influences between Southern Italians and the Balkans, starting with the initial Palaeolithic occupation until historical and modern times. To shed light on the dynamics of these contacts, we analysed a genome-wide SNP dataset of more than 700 individuals from the South Mediterranean area (102 from Southern Italy), combined with ancient DNA from neighbouring areas. Our findings revealed high affinities of South-Eastern Italians with modern Eastern Peloponnesians, and a closer affinity of ancient Greek genomes with those from specific regions of South Italy than modern Greek genomes. The higher similarity could be associated with the presence of a Bronze Age component ultimately originating fr...
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La torre Santa Caterina è situata lungo la costa ionica nel territorio di Nardò, circa 10 km a nord di Gallipoli. Si tratta di una torre di avvistamento, costruita alla fine del XVI secolo, il cui piano terra fu probabilmente utilizzato... more
La torre Santa Caterina è situata lungo la costa ionica nel territorio di Nardò, circa 10 km a nord di Gallipoli. Si tratta di una torre di avvistamento, costruita alla fine del XVI secolo, il cui piano terra fu probabilmente utilizzato come ricovero per animali nelle fasi più tarde. Il materiale archeologico rinvenuto nel corso delle due campagne di indagini è datato tra il XVIII e la prima metà del XIX secolo. L'analisi dei reperti faunistici ha fatto emergere un'economia basata principalmente sull'allevamento di ovicaprini. Le specie selvatiche mostrano solo animali di piccola taglia, come volpi, lepri e ricci. Sono stati recuperati, inoltre, numerosi resti di pesci e molluschi marini che testimoniano l'approvvigionamento diretto dal mare.
Immersive technologies have the potential to significantly improve the way of presenting cultural heritage storytelling and conveying the results of the archaeological research to a wide generalist audience. This work describes the... more
Immersive technologies have the potential to significantly improve the way of presenting cultural heritage storytelling and conveying the results of the archaeological research to a wide generalist audience. This work describes the methodological approach we applied to develop an augmented realty and a virtual reality application to support the narrative of the archaeological site of Roca Vecchia (Lecce, Italy). Starting from the archaeological evidence, we virtually rebuilt the area as it was supposed to be at the time of the Middle Bronze Age and we developed immersive and interactive applications to let visitors vividly experience some of the historical events happened around the mid 2nd millennium BC. The methodologies described and the applications developed are the result of the ongoing collaborative research leaded by a multidisciplinary team made up of archaeologists, humanists, engineers and artists.
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This paper describes the design and development of mobile applications that use Augmented Reality technology (AR) and virtual reality (VR) to improve the dissemination of the archaeological evidence found at the State Nature Reserve and... more
This paper describes the design and development of mobile applications that use Augmented Reality technology (AR) and virtual reality (VR) to improve the dissemination of the archaeological evidence found at the State Nature Reserve and Protected Marine Area of Torre Guaceto (Brindisi); the finds are part of the Bronze Age fortified settlement of Scogli di Apani. In more general terms, they also help in understanding the natural and anthropic character of its coastal territory during the second millennium B.C.