Papers by Francesco Garbasi
The development of open-air cultural heritage and archaeological areas is based upon their optima... more The development of open-air cultural heritage and archaeological areas is based upon their optimal safeguarding and management, and through the public awareness they generate. In this paper, considering different management issues and end goals, we will demonstrate how, through cooperation among specialized professionals, local authorities and the public, it is possible to revitalize public areas with distinct cultural heritage features. Case studies of two sites are considered, both managed by our volunteer archaeological group: the first is the site of Luceria, a Roman vicus located in a hilly rural area, while the second is the St. Paul Garden, an urban green space connected with indoor classical and medieval archaeological excavations. Our current effort is to create a broad range of activities in order to take advantage of the full potential of these areas. The activities are centred on public awareness, and include educational initiatives, experimental reconstructions, safeguarding the historical and archaeological heritage, and informing the public about it. The network of small archaeological sites we are working on is a self-sustainable approach in order to overcoming each area's weak points.
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
SUMMARY - THE LATE NEOLITHIC SITE OF BOTTEGHINO LE GHIAIE (PARMA) - The recent finds at Botteghin... more SUMMARY - THE LATE NEOLITHIC SITE OF BOTTEGHINO LE GHIAIE (PARMA) - The recent finds at Botteghino-le Ghiaie in the outskirts of Parma allow us to update the state of our knowledge on the final stages of the Neolithic in the area of Emilia. This site was discovered during a preventive archeological excavation led by Soprintendenza Archeologia of Emilia-Romagna in the course of works for the building of an electricity pylon. The size of the excavated area is around 180 sq. mt. Three different layers dating back to late Neolithic have been found, which correspond to three phases of the occupation of the site (numbered as I, II and III).
The first phase, which is the most ancient, is witnessed by soil with scarce ceramic material on which no structural elements are imposed, which suggests the area may have been sporadically frequented.
The second and third phases, on the contrary, are characterized by densely anthropized areas and several dug structures, which suggests more complex phases of settlement.
In the second phase, the overlapping of structural elements has made it possible to subdivide the development into three sub-phases, numbered as IIA, IIB and IIC.
Two pits and a well may be ascribed sub-phase IIC, the most ancient one. A millstone and a lithic stele have been found in the well. Sub-phase IIB is characterized by several pole holes, three pits, three wells and tree stumps. A large and shallow pit can be ascribed to sub-phase IIA.
The third and most recent phase, phase III, which is separated from phase II by a flood layer, is characterized by several pole holes and tree stumps.
The high number of holes that can be dated back to the different phases and sub-phases suggest that a palimpsest of building phases exists. In order to define them an analysis has been done of negative units found at the basis of the profiles, of diameters and depths. This has led to a subdivision of small holes (whose size ranges from 10 to 20 centimeters), medium-seized (20 to 30 cm) and large ones (30 to 60 cm) with a concave or conical profile.
On the basis of this analysis it has been possible to hypothesize the presence of various structures: for phase II the existence of two buildings with a different orientation has been hypothesized, with a long and narrow rectangular plan with an apse, one of which was probably characterized by the presence of an elevated granary and two other structures, one of which perhaps served as a storage facility, with a subrectangular plan. This interferes with the other one, which is formed by a series of similar holes, but in the shape of a curve.
Concerning phase III, three overlapping buildings have been found, together with a structure marked by a row of holes whose function is impossible to define as an extremely small section of it has been brought to light. The plans of two buildings are rectangular, long, with an apse on the short side and a row of poles in the central part. Of the third building only the apse has been found.
The stone and ceramic materials found in the soil and structures have made it possible to determine that the site belongs to the late Neolithic. The analysis of the stone industry regarded the observation of the raw materials, the degree of post-depositional alteration and, where possible, the rock alteration underwent before collection and its introduction in the site. In some cases, also through the observation of the rare portions of cortex, it was possible to determine if raw material was collected from primary outcrops or from secondary deposits.
The technological analysis highlighted some general features, but no substantial variations between the three phases of occupancy have been observed. What is clearly distinguishable is the predominance of blade technology, mostly processed by indirect percussion on Biancone formations flints (from Verona Platform). The direct percussion with hard hammer aimed at producing flakes it is mostly attested on local lythotypes.
Typological analysis has been made on the small complex retouched tools (15 in total) made on products or by-products of the blade technology, among them a certain predominance of backed edge blades has been detected.
In one of the above-mentioned wells (phase IIC) some sandstone artefacts have been found: a stele, a large millstone and three cobblestones, one of which bears traces of hammering. The stele, sub-triangular in shape, shows traces of hammering in the central part of one of the facets. The millstone, with the upper surface concave, shows visible signs of wear while the cobblestones do not, although their surface is partially broken. The signs of hammering which are evident on one of them could however be the result of its use as an anvil for the bipolar reduction techniques or alternatively it could be a cup-mark of symbolic value.
The clay artifacts allow instead for a more precise chronological and cultural framing of the site.
The ceramic remains (around a hundred fragments), which comes from the most densely anthropized soils and from the structures that belong to them, have been analysed to determine their typology and manufacturing technology, as well as its stratigraphical position. Five types of mixtures have been found (rough, medium rough, medium, medium fine, fine), characterized by a sandy and mineral fragments of different granulometry in various percentage levels. The percentage of fine mixtures is 10%, that of medium fine ones is 25%, whereas that of medium and rough ones is 65% of the total. The surfaces do not show traces of finishing and in some cases signs of clay spatula are visible.
The typological analysis of the fragments has allowed researchers to recognize a limited number of forms used: bowls with inflected, curved or rectilinear shape, conical open bowls, deep vassels some of which with irregular mouth. In general, finer mixtures are associated with bowls and some of the open bowls, while the medium or rough ones are more often associated with deep subcylindrical vessels or larger open bowls. The more articulate shapes always show a medium inflected profile. In some rare cases a small lug, also perforated, is present. This ceramic type is decorated in few examples with wide grooves.
The open bowls only have a conical shapes, rarely with a low body, more frequently with a medium or deep body; two inflected open bowls show a superimposed lobe. In two cases the mouth has an irregular shape.
Decorations are found on 17% of fragment, without any preference for the mixture or the shape of the vessels, but the type of decoration is specific for the different ceramic shapes. Grooves are found on articulated bowls, finger impressions or those with drag clay are always found on deep conical vases, also those with an irregularly shaped mouth, whereas incised decorations cannot be associated with specific forms since the size of the fragments is very small. Plastic decorations are composed of circular lugs carved at the centre or with conical profile. We do not know the position of the first on the surface of vessels, whereas the latter are placed under the rim of deep vases, also in series. The lip of these are almost always round and smooth, in few cases flat or decorated with instrumental or finger impressions. Handles with an oval section are very rare. The bottoms are all flat, except for articulated shapes, where they are convex. Among clay finds the presence of biconical and biconvex spindle whorls can be noted.
The whole body of ceramic finds appears rather homogeneous, belonging to cultural contexts of central and northern Italian Neolithic, with the exception of some strongly characterized elements, such as the grooved vases and the ones with incised zigzag patterns, which were certainly introduced through contacts with other, probably peninsular, groups.
Through the analysis of ceramic types which were present in the stratigraphic sequence and in line with other finds available in the region, it is possible to follow the different phases of the life of this site, which probably developed over the course of about one hundred years, perhaps a little longer. The site seems to anticipate the first phase of the late Neolithic in Emilia, which can be dated to the centuries between 3700 and 3600 b.C., thus at the end of the recent Neolithic in Emilia, hypothetically between 3800 and 3700 b.C.
As a conclusion, we can say that the site presents a stratigraphic sequence that, despite the dearth of ceramic and lithic samples, proves to be extremely significant due to the presence of important materials that were probably imported. However, the direct derivation of these finds from the earlier tradition of the late Neolithic in Emilia is also clear, so that we can follow their evolution until the next phase of the final Neolithic. The discovery of a lithic stele, very similar to the well-known examples of Travo S. Andrea near Piacenza, seems to reveal the existence of a shared symbolic world, which had previously not been documented.
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
EDITED BOOKS by Francesco Garbasi
O ambiente, em lenta e constante mudança, com os seus recursos e suas limitações tem influenciado... more O ambiente, em lenta e constante mudança, com os seus recursos e suas limitações tem influenciado a presença e a possibilidade de apropriação de todas as formas de vida, incluindo os seres humanos. A Paleontologia através de fósseis nos permite entender as mudanças importantes de nosso planeta e as formas de vida que o têm povoado, enquanto a antropologia e arqueologia nos ajuda a refletir sobre como o homem pode se adaptar às mudanças no ponto de vista biológico e, acima de tudo cultural. O olhar do todo, bem sucedido nesta obra, fornece melhor entendimento sobre os limites da natureza e do homem. Alguns exemplos propostos mostram que a grande capacidade de adaptação do ser humano não é suficiente nos casos em que não se leva em conta as limitações naturais, que ainda deve ser considerado como o limite absoluto da exploração do território. Os ensaios e estudos aqui apresentados mostram que o ambiente está mudando constantemente. O objetivo principal deste livro é o de estimular a curiosidade de conhecer o território, cidade ou região em que os leitores vivem. Apenas conhecendo os limites é que você pode preservar o habitat adequado para a vida dos seres humanos e outros seres vivos.
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
L’inaugurazione dell’area archeologica ha costituito un’occasione importante per fare il punto su... more L’inaugurazione dell’area archeologica ha costituito un’occasione importante per fare il punto sulle
ricerche passate e recenti, relazionandole alle ultime
scoperte effettuate nel territorio e collocandole in una
cornice di più ampio respiro scientifico. La giornata di
studi ha rappresentato anche la sede più adatta per illustrare i passi compiuti e i criteri perseguiti nel fondamentale passaggio “dallo scavo alla valorizzazione” del
sito di Luceria, nonché un’occasione irrinunciabile per
interrogarsi sulle scelte da compiere, oggi e domani,
per la gestione e la promozione dell’area archeologica.
Il Convegno è stato articolato in due parti principali: la prima dedicata all’approfondimento degli interventi di ricerca svolti a Luceria da metà ottocento
sino ai giorni nostri; la seconda alle opere di consolidamento, restauro e valorizzazione dell’area, queste
ultime tuttora in fieri.
Questa struttura, arricchita da un articolo introduttivo dedicato all’analisi delle evidenze archeologiche del territorio, permette di avere una visione completa sulle problematiche e sulle potenzialità del sito.
Infine si è scelto, per mostrare possibili modalità di
gestione dell’area all’interno del contesto territoriale,
di aprire il convegno a operatori culturali e studiosi
che hanno saputo, in contesti diversi ma con problematiche socio-culturali affini, intraprendere percorsi
di valorizzazione efficaci che hanno portato giovamento nei rispettivi contesti d’intervento.
La pubblicazione degli Atti del Convegno permette la diffusione delle conoscenze acquisite nel
corso di anni di ricerche e si qualifica come base aggiornata dalla quale partire per condurne nuove. L’effettiva opera di valorizzazione, ancora ai primi passi,
avrà il compito di implementare l’offerta culturale
del territorio e, anche grazie allo stimolante esempio
fornito da altre realtà, saperne cogliere le potenzialità, sviluppandone i legami con l’attuale contesto socio-economico.
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
Uploads
Papers by Francesco Garbasi
The first phase, which is the most ancient, is witnessed by soil with scarce ceramic material on which no structural elements are imposed, which suggests the area may have been sporadically frequented.
The second and third phases, on the contrary, are characterized by densely anthropized areas and several dug structures, which suggests more complex phases of settlement.
In the second phase, the overlapping of structural elements has made it possible to subdivide the development into three sub-phases, numbered as IIA, IIB and IIC.
Two pits and a well may be ascribed sub-phase IIC, the most ancient one. A millstone and a lithic stele have been found in the well. Sub-phase IIB is characterized by several pole holes, three pits, three wells and tree stumps. A large and shallow pit can be ascribed to sub-phase IIA.
The third and most recent phase, phase III, which is separated from phase II by a flood layer, is characterized by several pole holes and tree stumps.
The high number of holes that can be dated back to the different phases and sub-phases suggest that a palimpsest of building phases exists. In order to define them an analysis has been done of negative units found at the basis of the profiles, of diameters and depths. This has led to a subdivision of small holes (whose size ranges from 10 to 20 centimeters), medium-seized (20 to 30 cm) and large ones (30 to 60 cm) with a concave or conical profile.
On the basis of this analysis it has been possible to hypothesize the presence of various structures: for phase II the existence of two buildings with a different orientation has been hypothesized, with a long and narrow rectangular plan with an apse, one of which was probably characterized by the presence of an elevated granary and two other structures, one of which perhaps served as a storage facility, with a subrectangular plan. This interferes with the other one, which is formed by a series of similar holes, but in the shape of a curve.
Concerning phase III, three overlapping buildings have been found, together with a structure marked by a row of holes whose function is impossible to define as an extremely small section of it has been brought to light. The plans of two buildings are rectangular, long, with an apse on the short side and a row of poles in the central part. Of the third building only the apse has been found.
The stone and ceramic materials found in the soil and structures have made it possible to determine that the site belongs to the late Neolithic. The analysis of the stone industry regarded the observation of the raw materials, the degree of post-depositional alteration and, where possible, the rock alteration underwent before collection and its introduction in the site. In some cases, also through the observation of the rare portions of cortex, it was possible to determine if raw material was collected from primary outcrops or from secondary deposits.
The technological analysis highlighted some general features, but no substantial variations between the three phases of occupancy have been observed. What is clearly distinguishable is the predominance of blade technology, mostly processed by indirect percussion on Biancone formations flints (from Verona Platform). The direct percussion with hard hammer aimed at producing flakes it is mostly attested on local lythotypes.
Typological analysis has been made on the small complex retouched tools (15 in total) made on products or by-products of the blade technology, among them a certain predominance of backed edge blades has been detected.
In one of the above-mentioned wells (phase IIC) some sandstone artefacts have been found: a stele, a large millstone and three cobblestones, one of which bears traces of hammering. The stele, sub-triangular in shape, shows traces of hammering in the central part of one of the facets. The millstone, with the upper surface concave, shows visible signs of wear while the cobblestones do not, although their surface is partially broken. The signs of hammering which are evident on one of them could however be the result of its use as an anvil for the bipolar reduction techniques or alternatively it could be a cup-mark of symbolic value.
The clay artifacts allow instead for a more precise chronological and cultural framing of the site.
The ceramic remains (around a hundred fragments), which comes from the most densely anthropized soils and from the structures that belong to them, have been analysed to determine their typology and manufacturing technology, as well as its stratigraphical position. Five types of mixtures have been found (rough, medium rough, medium, medium fine, fine), characterized by a sandy and mineral fragments of different granulometry in various percentage levels. The percentage of fine mixtures is 10%, that of medium fine ones is 25%, whereas that of medium and rough ones is 65% of the total. The surfaces do not show traces of finishing and in some cases signs of clay spatula are visible.
The typological analysis of the fragments has allowed researchers to recognize a limited number of forms used: bowls with inflected, curved or rectilinear shape, conical open bowls, deep vassels some of which with irregular mouth. In general, finer mixtures are associated with bowls and some of the open bowls, while the medium or rough ones are more often associated with deep subcylindrical vessels or larger open bowls. The more articulate shapes always show a medium inflected profile. In some rare cases a small lug, also perforated, is present. This ceramic type is decorated in few examples with wide grooves.
The open bowls only have a conical shapes, rarely with a low body, more frequently with a medium or deep body; two inflected open bowls show a superimposed lobe. In two cases the mouth has an irregular shape.
Decorations are found on 17% of fragment, without any preference for the mixture or the shape of the vessels, but the type of decoration is specific for the different ceramic shapes. Grooves are found on articulated bowls, finger impressions or those with drag clay are always found on deep conical vases, also those with an irregularly shaped mouth, whereas incised decorations cannot be associated with specific forms since the size of the fragments is very small. Plastic decorations are composed of circular lugs carved at the centre or with conical profile. We do not know the position of the first on the surface of vessels, whereas the latter are placed under the rim of deep vases, also in series. The lip of these are almost always round and smooth, in few cases flat or decorated with instrumental or finger impressions. Handles with an oval section are very rare. The bottoms are all flat, except for articulated shapes, where they are convex. Among clay finds the presence of biconical and biconvex spindle whorls can be noted.
The whole body of ceramic finds appears rather homogeneous, belonging to cultural contexts of central and northern Italian Neolithic, with the exception of some strongly characterized elements, such as the grooved vases and the ones with incised zigzag patterns, which were certainly introduced through contacts with other, probably peninsular, groups.
Through the analysis of ceramic types which were present in the stratigraphic sequence and in line with other finds available in the region, it is possible to follow the different phases of the life of this site, which probably developed over the course of about one hundred years, perhaps a little longer. The site seems to anticipate the first phase of the late Neolithic in Emilia, which can be dated to the centuries between 3700 and 3600 b.C., thus at the end of the recent Neolithic in Emilia, hypothetically between 3800 and 3700 b.C.
As a conclusion, we can say that the site presents a stratigraphic sequence that, despite the dearth of ceramic and lithic samples, proves to be extremely significant due to the presence of important materials that were probably imported. However, the direct derivation of these finds from the earlier tradition of the late Neolithic in Emilia is also clear, so that we can follow their evolution until the next phase of the final Neolithic. The discovery of a lithic stele, very similar to the well-known examples of Travo S. Andrea near Piacenza, seems to reveal the existence of a shared symbolic world, which had previously not been documented.
EDITED BOOKS by Francesco Garbasi
ricerche passate e recenti, relazionandole alle ultime
scoperte effettuate nel territorio e collocandole in una
cornice di più ampio respiro scientifico. La giornata di
studi ha rappresentato anche la sede più adatta per illustrare i passi compiuti e i criteri perseguiti nel fondamentale passaggio “dallo scavo alla valorizzazione” del
sito di Luceria, nonché un’occasione irrinunciabile per
interrogarsi sulle scelte da compiere, oggi e domani,
per la gestione e la promozione dell’area archeologica.
Il Convegno è stato articolato in due parti principali: la prima dedicata all’approfondimento degli interventi di ricerca svolti a Luceria da metà ottocento
sino ai giorni nostri; la seconda alle opere di consolidamento, restauro e valorizzazione dell’area, queste
ultime tuttora in fieri.
Questa struttura, arricchita da un articolo introduttivo dedicato all’analisi delle evidenze archeologiche del territorio, permette di avere una visione completa sulle problematiche e sulle potenzialità del sito.
Infine si è scelto, per mostrare possibili modalità di
gestione dell’area all’interno del contesto territoriale,
di aprire il convegno a operatori culturali e studiosi
che hanno saputo, in contesti diversi ma con problematiche socio-culturali affini, intraprendere percorsi
di valorizzazione efficaci che hanno portato giovamento nei rispettivi contesti d’intervento.
La pubblicazione degli Atti del Convegno permette la diffusione delle conoscenze acquisite nel
corso di anni di ricerche e si qualifica come base aggiornata dalla quale partire per condurne nuove. L’effettiva opera di valorizzazione, ancora ai primi passi,
avrà il compito di implementare l’offerta culturale
del territorio e, anche grazie allo stimolante esempio
fornito da altre realtà, saperne cogliere le potenzialità, sviluppandone i legami con l’attuale contesto socio-economico.
The first phase, which is the most ancient, is witnessed by soil with scarce ceramic material on which no structural elements are imposed, which suggests the area may have been sporadically frequented.
The second and third phases, on the contrary, are characterized by densely anthropized areas and several dug structures, which suggests more complex phases of settlement.
In the second phase, the overlapping of structural elements has made it possible to subdivide the development into three sub-phases, numbered as IIA, IIB and IIC.
Two pits and a well may be ascribed sub-phase IIC, the most ancient one. A millstone and a lithic stele have been found in the well. Sub-phase IIB is characterized by several pole holes, three pits, three wells and tree stumps. A large and shallow pit can be ascribed to sub-phase IIA.
The third and most recent phase, phase III, which is separated from phase II by a flood layer, is characterized by several pole holes and tree stumps.
The high number of holes that can be dated back to the different phases and sub-phases suggest that a palimpsest of building phases exists. In order to define them an analysis has been done of negative units found at the basis of the profiles, of diameters and depths. This has led to a subdivision of small holes (whose size ranges from 10 to 20 centimeters), medium-seized (20 to 30 cm) and large ones (30 to 60 cm) with a concave or conical profile.
On the basis of this analysis it has been possible to hypothesize the presence of various structures: for phase II the existence of two buildings with a different orientation has been hypothesized, with a long and narrow rectangular plan with an apse, one of which was probably characterized by the presence of an elevated granary and two other structures, one of which perhaps served as a storage facility, with a subrectangular plan. This interferes with the other one, which is formed by a series of similar holes, but in the shape of a curve.
Concerning phase III, three overlapping buildings have been found, together with a structure marked by a row of holes whose function is impossible to define as an extremely small section of it has been brought to light. The plans of two buildings are rectangular, long, with an apse on the short side and a row of poles in the central part. Of the third building only the apse has been found.
The stone and ceramic materials found in the soil and structures have made it possible to determine that the site belongs to the late Neolithic. The analysis of the stone industry regarded the observation of the raw materials, the degree of post-depositional alteration and, where possible, the rock alteration underwent before collection and its introduction in the site. In some cases, also through the observation of the rare portions of cortex, it was possible to determine if raw material was collected from primary outcrops or from secondary deposits.
The technological analysis highlighted some general features, but no substantial variations between the three phases of occupancy have been observed. What is clearly distinguishable is the predominance of blade technology, mostly processed by indirect percussion on Biancone formations flints (from Verona Platform). The direct percussion with hard hammer aimed at producing flakes it is mostly attested on local lythotypes.
Typological analysis has been made on the small complex retouched tools (15 in total) made on products or by-products of the blade technology, among them a certain predominance of backed edge blades has been detected.
In one of the above-mentioned wells (phase IIC) some sandstone artefacts have been found: a stele, a large millstone and three cobblestones, one of which bears traces of hammering. The stele, sub-triangular in shape, shows traces of hammering in the central part of one of the facets. The millstone, with the upper surface concave, shows visible signs of wear while the cobblestones do not, although their surface is partially broken. The signs of hammering which are evident on one of them could however be the result of its use as an anvil for the bipolar reduction techniques or alternatively it could be a cup-mark of symbolic value.
The clay artifacts allow instead for a more precise chronological and cultural framing of the site.
The ceramic remains (around a hundred fragments), which comes from the most densely anthropized soils and from the structures that belong to them, have been analysed to determine their typology and manufacturing technology, as well as its stratigraphical position. Five types of mixtures have been found (rough, medium rough, medium, medium fine, fine), characterized by a sandy and mineral fragments of different granulometry in various percentage levels. The percentage of fine mixtures is 10%, that of medium fine ones is 25%, whereas that of medium and rough ones is 65% of the total. The surfaces do not show traces of finishing and in some cases signs of clay spatula are visible.
The typological analysis of the fragments has allowed researchers to recognize a limited number of forms used: bowls with inflected, curved or rectilinear shape, conical open bowls, deep vassels some of which with irregular mouth. In general, finer mixtures are associated with bowls and some of the open bowls, while the medium or rough ones are more often associated with deep subcylindrical vessels or larger open bowls. The more articulate shapes always show a medium inflected profile. In some rare cases a small lug, also perforated, is present. This ceramic type is decorated in few examples with wide grooves.
The open bowls only have a conical shapes, rarely with a low body, more frequently with a medium or deep body; two inflected open bowls show a superimposed lobe. In two cases the mouth has an irregular shape.
Decorations are found on 17% of fragment, without any preference for the mixture or the shape of the vessels, but the type of decoration is specific for the different ceramic shapes. Grooves are found on articulated bowls, finger impressions or those with drag clay are always found on deep conical vases, also those with an irregularly shaped mouth, whereas incised decorations cannot be associated with specific forms since the size of the fragments is very small. Plastic decorations are composed of circular lugs carved at the centre or with conical profile. We do not know the position of the first on the surface of vessels, whereas the latter are placed under the rim of deep vases, also in series. The lip of these are almost always round and smooth, in few cases flat or decorated with instrumental or finger impressions. Handles with an oval section are very rare. The bottoms are all flat, except for articulated shapes, where they are convex. Among clay finds the presence of biconical and biconvex spindle whorls can be noted.
The whole body of ceramic finds appears rather homogeneous, belonging to cultural contexts of central and northern Italian Neolithic, with the exception of some strongly characterized elements, such as the grooved vases and the ones with incised zigzag patterns, which were certainly introduced through contacts with other, probably peninsular, groups.
Through the analysis of ceramic types which were present in the stratigraphic sequence and in line with other finds available in the region, it is possible to follow the different phases of the life of this site, which probably developed over the course of about one hundred years, perhaps a little longer. The site seems to anticipate the first phase of the late Neolithic in Emilia, which can be dated to the centuries between 3700 and 3600 b.C., thus at the end of the recent Neolithic in Emilia, hypothetically between 3800 and 3700 b.C.
As a conclusion, we can say that the site presents a stratigraphic sequence that, despite the dearth of ceramic and lithic samples, proves to be extremely significant due to the presence of important materials that were probably imported. However, the direct derivation of these finds from the earlier tradition of the late Neolithic in Emilia is also clear, so that we can follow their evolution until the next phase of the final Neolithic. The discovery of a lithic stele, very similar to the well-known examples of Travo S. Andrea near Piacenza, seems to reveal the existence of a shared symbolic world, which had previously not been documented.
ricerche passate e recenti, relazionandole alle ultime
scoperte effettuate nel territorio e collocandole in una
cornice di più ampio respiro scientifico. La giornata di
studi ha rappresentato anche la sede più adatta per illustrare i passi compiuti e i criteri perseguiti nel fondamentale passaggio “dallo scavo alla valorizzazione” del
sito di Luceria, nonché un’occasione irrinunciabile per
interrogarsi sulle scelte da compiere, oggi e domani,
per la gestione e la promozione dell’area archeologica.
Il Convegno è stato articolato in due parti principali: la prima dedicata all’approfondimento degli interventi di ricerca svolti a Luceria da metà ottocento
sino ai giorni nostri; la seconda alle opere di consolidamento, restauro e valorizzazione dell’area, queste
ultime tuttora in fieri.
Questa struttura, arricchita da un articolo introduttivo dedicato all’analisi delle evidenze archeologiche del territorio, permette di avere una visione completa sulle problematiche e sulle potenzialità del sito.
Infine si è scelto, per mostrare possibili modalità di
gestione dell’area all’interno del contesto territoriale,
di aprire il convegno a operatori culturali e studiosi
che hanno saputo, in contesti diversi ma con problematiche socio-culturali affini, intraprendere percorsi
di valorizzazione efficaci che hanno portato giovamento nei rispettivi contesti d’intervento.
La pubblicazione degli Atti del Convegno permette la diffusione delle conoscenze acquisite nel
corso di anni di ricerche e si qualifica come base aggiornata dalla quale partire per condurne nuove. L’effettiva opera di valorizzazione, ancora ai primi passi,
avrà il compito di implementare l’offerta culturale
del territorio e, anche grazie allo stimolante esempio
fornito da altre realtà, saperne cogliere le potenzialità, sviluppandone i legami con l’attuale contesto socio-economico.