A new method for the energetics analysis of polygonal masonry in Samnite hillforts (Italy)

Bibliographic Data

ID21082006
AuthorsG Fontana (0000-0001-6011-5983, University College London, corresponding author), Stanley Bernard (0000-0002-9678-190X, University of Toronto)
Year2023
Volume153
Pages105730
Publication date2023-05-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Archaeological Science (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0305-4403 • E-ISSN: 1095-9238
PublisherElsevier BV (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1016/j.jas.2023.105730
OpenAlexW4319080189
LanguageEN
Citations received5
References cited14

This article presents a statistically grounded method for the comparative analysis of polygonal masonry and the calculation of their architectural energetics. Four wall stretches of different Samnite hillforts (5th-3rd century BCE) have been recorded through 3D modelling to generate models suitable for calculating three variables (area, rectangularity and gap area) used for a comparative assessment of the different building techniques involved in their construction. This allowed the identification of masonry styles related to different costs of labor which were used to produce cross-regional energetic indexes suitable for the cost analysis of several hundred hillforts in south-central Italy. This formal and replicable approach to the cost analysis of polygonal masonry is not only suitable for analysing sites in Italy, but can also be applied to similar sites found widely in the Mediterranean

Archaeology · Biology · Civil engineering · Geography · Masonry · Mediterranean area · Mediterranean climate · Ancient Mediterranean Archaeology and History · Archaeological Research and Protection · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies · Engineering · Ecology · Geology

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