“There's more than meets the eye”: Developing an integrated archaeological approach to reconstruct human–environment dynamics in the Pontine marshes (Lazio, Central Italy)

Geoarchaeology, vol. 36, pp. 109–129

Abstract

Abstract In this article, we present the results of a pilot study that adopts an interdisciplinary off‐site approach combining detailed surface survey, remote sensing analyses, geophysical prospections, geoarchaeological investigations and palaeoenvironmental analyses to investigate long‐term human‐environment interactions in the Pontine plain (Lazio, Central Italy). Focusing on a small study area just north of the ancient Roman way station ofAd Medias, in the middle of this former wetland, the developed integrated approach turned out to be very much successful, providing additional information on (a) the interpretation of the surface record in light of landscape and environmental dynamics, (b) the exposure of “hidden landscapes” that date from before the Roman phase of exploitation that is well‐attested in the surface archaeological record, and (c) the texture of this Roman landscape, allowing for a more accurate interpretation of both mapped surface materials and the wider context in which these surface sites were set.

Authors 6

1. Gijs Willem Tol corresponding

   The University of Melbourne

   Affiliation as printed

   School of Historical and Philosophical Studies The University of Melbourne Melbourne Australia

   School of Historical and Philosophical Studies, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia

2. Tymon de Haas Aachen Faculty of Archaeology Leiden University Leiden Netherlands Faculty of Archaeology, Leiden University

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   Faculty of Archaeology Leiden University Leiden Netherlands

   Faculty of Archaeology, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands

3. J. Sevink

   University of Amsterdam

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics University of Amsterdam Amsterdam Netherlands

   Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands

4. Mans Schepers

   University of Groningen

   Affiliation as printed

   Centre for Landscape Studies University of Groningen Groningen Netherlands

   Centre for Landscape Studies, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands

5. Burkart Ullrich
   Affiliation as printed

   Eastern Atlas GmbH & Co KG Berlin Germany

6. Wieke de Neef

   Ghent University

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Archaeology Ghent University Ghent Belgium

   Department of Archaeology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium