Integrated Approaches to Understanding Complex Long-Term Reclamation Processes in the Hinterland of Ravenna (Italy)

ABSTRACT

In this paper, we aim to present the results of interdisciplinary research focusing on the surroundings of Lugo, a town in the hinterland of Ravenna. The area is known for the extraordinary preservation of the centuriated field system, although its ‘Roman’ origin has been rightly questioned in the last three decades. Our data show how this seemingly homogenous area has a complex history due to intense alluvial events. If artefact surveys have been helpful in studying the main trends in the evolution of settlement patterns, only a systematic geoarchaeological investigation has allowed us to better understand the physical transformations occurring in the landscape, their potential effect on the settlement suitability of the area, and the mechanisms that led to the complete reclamation of a former wetland known as Orizzonte Veggiani. About the latter, archaeobotanical analysis of seeds, fruits, and charcoal starts to help us understand its land use/land cover.

KEYWORDS:

• Landscape archaeology
• geoarchaeology
• archaeobotany
• remote sensing
• wetland
• centuriation
• reclamation
• Middle Ages

Acknowledgments

Access to the archival archaeological data and authorisation for disclosure was granted by the Ministero della Cultura - Soprintendenza Archeologia Belle Arti e Paesaggio per le province di Ravenna, Forlì-Cesena e Rimini (no. 13838 of 17/10/2018, no. 11474 of 29/08/2019, no. 16989 of 16/12/2020, and no. 720 of 20/01/2022). A special thank goes to COOProgetto, owner of the Cantiere construction site, for allowing the access. Moreover, Stefano Marabini is thanked for having offered fertile ground to discuss the geomorphological reconstructions presented here. We are grateful to prof. Mauro Bovoli and the scientific committee of the centre of study ‘Romandiola Nord Occidentale’ for promoting and supporting the ‘Bassa Romandiola’ project since its beginning. Finally, we thank the two anonymous reviewers for their many insightful comments and suggestions that helped us improve our manuscript.

Additional Information

Michele Abballe contributed to the following sections: Geomorphological Context, Archaeological Archival Research, Aerial and Satellite Images Analysis, Geoarchaeological Campaigns, Radiocarbon Dating, Palaeolandscape Reconstruction, Methodological Implications for the Study of Hidden Landscapes, Characterisation of Wetland Vegetation, Medieval Wetland Reclamation Processes, and Conclusion. Marco Cavalazzi contributed to the following sections: Introduction, Historical and Archaeological Context, Archaeological Field Survey, Historical Archival Research, and Implications for the Study of Hidden Landscapes. Celeste Fiorotto contributed to the following sections: Archaeobotanical Macroremains Analysis and Characterisation of Wetland Vegetation. Figures 1, 2 and 5–14 were made by Michele Abballe, while. Figures 3 and 4 by Marco Cavalazzi.

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by personal grants awarded to the authors. Michele Abballe received a Doctoral Scholarship from the Bijzonder Onderzoeksfonds UGent (BOF) under Grant number BOF.FJD.2017.0002.01 and two Grants for a long stay abroad by the Research Foundation Flanders – Flanders (FWO) under Grant numbers V421419N and V430720N. Marco Cavalazzi received a research fellowship from the University of Bologna funded by the Comitato per i Beni Culturali del Comune di Lugo, the municipalities of Cotignola and Lugo, and a Climate Kic Action fellowship (European Institute of Technology, 2015). Celeste Fiorotto received a Doctoral Scholarship from the University of Verona.

Notes on contributors

Michele Abballe

Michele Abballe is a PhD Candidate at Ghent University within a Joint Doctoral Programme, after having obtained his BA and MA at the University of Bologna. Specialising in landscape archaeology, medieval archaeology, and geoarchaeology, specifically in methods such as GIS analysis, remote sensing and deposit modelling. He coordinates the Faventia project and he collaborates with a series of national and international archaeological projects all over Italy.

Marco Cavalazzi

Marco Cavalazzi is Marie Sklodowska Curie post-doctoral researcher at the University of Bologna. His field of interest is related to the history of the countryside after the end of the Roman period and the use of GIS technology in this field of research. He is the PI of the European project BIGAr (GA n. 101029015) and the coordinator of the projects: ‘Bassa Romandiola’, ‘Cervia’, ‘Gabii after Romans’, and ‘Dante’s Pinewood’.

Celeste Fiorotto

Celeste Fiorotto is PhD Candidate at the University of Verona within a Joint Doctoral Programme with Ghent University. She obtained her BA at the University of Torino and then a MA at the University of Bologna in Medieval Archaeology, where she developed a strong interest in landscape reconstruction through archaeobotanical analysis.