Italy's empty hillforts

Reassessing urban-centric biases through combined non-invasive prospection methods on a Samnite site (fourth-third centuries BC)

Datos Bibliográficos

ID3348922
AutoresG Fontana (0000-0001-6011-5983, Texas Tech University, autor de correspondencia), Wieke De Neef (0000-0003-2243-4814, Ghent University)
Año2024
Volumen98
Número402
Páginas1558-1575
Fecha de publicación2024-12-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaAntiquity (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0003-598X • E-ISSN: 1745-1744
EditorialAntiquity Publications (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.15184/aqy.2024.157
OpenAlexW4403611616
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas1
Referencias citadas19

During the second half of the first millennium BC, hundreds of hillforts dotted the central Italian Apennines. Often interpreted as 'proto-towns', the authors present results of investigations at Monte Santa Croce-Cognolo that challenge this idea. Previous studies identified a small area (<1ha) of occupation and suggested that habitation extended across the whole 18ha site. Combining geophysical and pedestrian survey with remotely sensed data, and local ethnographic accounts, the authors detect little evidence for permanent habitation and instead argue for activities connected with animal husbandry. The results challenge urban-centric interpretations by demonstrating the coexistence of monumental but uninhabited hillforts and urban sites-usually seen across the Mediterranean and Europe

Ancient history · Archaeology · Geography · Prospection · Ancient Mediterranean Archaeology and History · Archaeological Research and Protection · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies · History