Papers by Andrea Gennaro
Antigüedad y cristianismo: Monografías históricas sobre la Antigüedad tardía, 2008
Durante las excavaciones de septiembre de 2009 llevadas a cabo en Begastri se descubrió un fragme... more Durante las excavaciones de septiembre de 2009 llevadas a cabo en Begastri se descubrió un fragmento de vaso ático de figuras rojas. Se trata de una crátera de campana, forma muy común en el sur de España. Podemos atribuirla al grupo G «very large». Se dataría a mediado del siglo IV.
During the excavations (September 2009) in Begastri, was discovered a piece of an attic
red-figure vase: it’s a small bell-krater, a very common shape in the South of the Spain; we can attribute it to the «very large» G Group. This krater is dated aroud the middle of the IV century.
Conference Presentations by Andrea Gennaro
I Bronzi di Riace 50 anni di studi e ricerche. 10-11-12 novembre 2022
7th International Conference on Late Roman Coarse Wares, Cooking Wares and Amphorae in the Mediterranean: Archaeology and Archaeometry (LRCW 7), 2019
This paper presents an analysis of some new, delimited and reliable contexts from the eastern are... more This paper presents an analysis of some new, delimited and reliable contexts from the eastern area of the so-called Nimphaeum Block of Gortyn. In this quarter, excavations uncovered a series of further phases, from funerary and honorary buildings dating back to the early Imperial age to a monumental Byzantine building. Despite the fact that Gortyn is one of the few Byzantine urban centres well-known through their material culture, especially ceramic data, some crucial questions remain still open. The VIII century, in particular, can be considered as a whole new world, where the dissolution of the city and the transformation of the urban scenario is clearly non-synchronic. Large areas of the town were left in ruins while other were re-occupied by small buildings. The poor visibility of 8th-early 9th century ceramic facies represents a big obstacle and complicate the general comprehension of Gortyn’s last phases. Within the ceramic evidence at our disposal, in particular Late Aegean containers, imported amphoras, sovradipinta, and comparing the data coming from other quarters, we try to define and shed light on the very last horizons of the eastern area of the so-called Nimphaeum Block.
Παγκρήτια Επιστημονική Συνάντηση "Αρχαιολογικό 'Εργο στην Κρήτη", 2019
In recent years, the scientific literature has begun to focus on a specific Byzantine vessel, the... more In recent years, the scientific literature has begun to focus on a specific Byzantine vessel, the so called chafing dish (in Italian “scalda-vivande”, in Greek “saltsarion”). Chafing dish can be considered as one of the most elaborate Byzantine vessel: it usually consists of a glazed upper bowl (or plate) that is set on an unglazed hollow stand with ventilation holes in its walls. These multifunctional cooking vessels appear suddenly at the same time, in a period between the late 7th and the 12th century, at several site in the Byzantine world or in areas under its sphere of influence. Despite similar dishes were produced in different local fabrics, chafing dishes have almost the same characteristics in all parts of the Empire. For these reasons, scholars are inclined to considerate them as important elements of the existence of a Byzantine cultural koiné.
Starting from old and new evidence at our disposal, we present and analyze chafing dishes recovered from Italian excavations in Gortyn, discussing typology, fabrics, chronology and origins. In addition, we'll try to understand these finds within the perspective of the larger historical and socio-economic developments of Gortyn and, more in generally, middle Byzantine Crete.
The chemical characterization of coarse ware in Late Roman Sicily is a rather new approach to dis... more The chemical characterization of coarse ware in Late Roman Sicily is a rather new approach to distinguish between the very numerous productions of table ware. The excavations carried out at the Catacombs of St. Lucy at Siracusa by the University of Catania
(2011-2012) and Arcadia University (2013-2105) in partnership with the Pontifical Commission for Sacred Archaeology have produced a remarkable amount of ceramic materials ranging from fine ware related to an earlier Late Hellenistic and Early Roman context, and Late Roman coarse wares, cooking wares and amphorae from contexts dated between the 4th and the late 7th century AD. Since Siracusa was the capital of the Roman province first and later of the Byzantine Empire, this evidence represents a representative case study for the region. Ceramic artifacts from different areas of the Region C of the Catacombs
of St. Lucy, including Sector F, the Oratory C and the Crypt VI, were tested non destructively with a portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometer to study production and circulation of fine and coarse ware in Sicily Late Roman and Early medieval periods. Analyses
using a Bruker III-SD were conducted on 73 ceramic samples, selected from the commonest ceramic classes. Samples were analyzed on broken edges, focusing on trace elements Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, and Nb. Quantitative values were produced using widely shared calibration
software for these elements, and principal components analysis of the data show that the ceramics fall into distinguishable groups, with most of the artifacts tested most likely coming from clay sources near each site. Further investigation will assess whether there are patterns based on object type and decoration, and the advantages and disadvantages
of using this method.
EAA2018, Session 574, SUBURBIA AND RURAL LANDSCAPES IN MEDIEVAL SICILY, organized by Utrero Agudo, Maria de los Angeles (CSIC, Granada) - Castrorao Barba, Angelo (University of Palermo) - Mandalà, Giuseppe (CSIC, Madrid), ROOM: UB205, 11:00 - 16:00, 8 september 2018, Barcelona Studies on Medieval Sicily are currently renewed by research undertaken by different teams from v... more Studies on Medieval Sicily are currently renewed by research undertaken by different teams from various regions of Europe (Italy, Spain, United Kingdom, Austria, Poland). Post-roman Sicily is a sort of palimpsest of Mediterranean dynamics in which continuity, transformation, innovation and resilience were connected to a wider frame of political change: role in the Byzantine State, Islamic conquest, Norman domain and the emergence of Swabian.
The challenge of approaching Medieval Sicily with this proposal is to analyse and interpret the materiality of these many 'transitions' on archaeological records.
This session aims to show the main results of those ongoing archaeological and historical works at medieval suburbia and rural sites of Sicily. It is thus intended to update traditional views regarding the evolution of this territory from Late Antique to the Middle Ages by bringing into consideration new data recovered from archaeological excavations undertaken in several sites across Sicily, new information coming from the review of written accounts and new reflections from contrasting both material and documentary records.
In particular, the session will address the following topics:
- Dynamics of rural settlement patterns.
- Suburbium between countryside and city.
- Landscape of power: churches, monasteries and palaces.
- Material culture and economic trajectories beyond the cities.
This session will be therefore a necessary space of discussion between the different European scholars currently engaged in the study of Medieval Sicily in order to compare data, results, methods and new theories.
" Heritage Crime'' is a term used in the anglo-saxon world to define a wide range of criminal act... more " Heritage Crime'' is a term used in the anglo-saxon world to define a wide range of criminal activities, from vandalism to illegal export of cultural objects, so strictly related with the cultural heritage issue. For his great effect, this topical subject has begun to appear often on newspapers and it is attracting always more frequently academic (in particular criminological and archeological) attention. As has been already stated elsewhere, the range and frequency of crimes can vary " dramatically across countries states cities, and...neighborhoods " (Ludwig and Kling, 2007, p. 491). The aim of our essay is to explore the concept of " heritage crime " in Italy, a country that, despite several international conventions and its national jurisdiction, continues to suffer from looting and destruction of archeological sites. In addition, this situation is exacerbated by the presence of organized crime (like Mafia and Camorra), in particular in Southern Italy regions, where are located a large number of UNESCO's world heritage sites. So, considered this peculiar situation, the italian word " archeo-mafia " has been created in order to explane the connection between heritage crimes and organized crime networks. Using new evidence and focusing on recent events that took place in the city of Vibo Valentia (Calabria), where an entire archeological area with Roman temples has been recently looted, we present, relying on criminological and archeological backgrounds, the paradoxical italian situation; in spite of the extension and the importance of its extraordinary cultural heritage-Italy counts 50 UNESCO World Heritage Sites the most of any country on the World Heritage List-the legislative instruments are still unsuitable because they are distant from the correct interpretation of the entire problem and so related with an anachronistic vision. In particular, there isn't in fact a specific type of offence about crimes against the cultural heritage, while at least 16 typology of criminal enteprises are recognized in the Italian legislation. Finally, we discuss the problems arising from this lack in the law related with the difficulty of punishment the culprits.
2018 Computer Applications and Quantitative Methods in Archaeology (CAA) international conference: Human History and Digital Future
Automated and semi-automated approaches image analysis have made their way into archaeological ap... more Automated and semi-automated approaches image analysis have made their way into archaeological applications, but early attemps have been mainly focused on monitoring and documentation fo cultutal heritage.
This study examines semi-automated methods to identification of archaeological features through a comparison of pixel-based and object-oriented data classification. Several experiments have been carried out on high-resolution imagery (WorldView-2) of the North-West of Etna (Sicily), the European’s highest volcano, where a huge variety of settlements can be found from Prehistoric to Medieval times.
The methodology of both pixel-based and object-based data classification is described and discussed over to specific case-study. The different nature of the two dataset, with distinct characteristics in archeological and enviromental side, provides usefull results in order to determine robustness and wickness of approaches presented here. The obtained data are exported to a GIS environment and compared with manual visual interpretations and analyzed in terms of their accuracy.
Finally, field data was collected in the study area to control the features of archaeological buried remains and to serve as a reference for the accuracy assessment.
Autore: Andrea Gennaro Recapito: andreamgennaro@gmail.com PhD student in " Studi sul patrimonio c... more Autore: Andrea Gennaro Recapito: andreamgennaro@gmail.com PhD student in " Studi sul patrimonio culturale " , Dipartimento Scienze Umanistiche, Catania. Workshop 1 Parole chiave: potenziale archeologico-patrimonio culturale-archeologia pubblica Il presente lavoro ha come finalità l'esplorazione del complesso rapporto esistente tra la pianificazione e il patrimonio archeologico di cui sono ricchissime siti urbani e non urbani dell'Italia e , in particolare, della Sicilia. I processi di tutela del patrimonio culturale, non inseriti all'interno di una visione organica capace di fondere i temi della pianificazione territoriale con lo sviluppo del territorio, hanno avuto esiti nefasti che sono sotto gli occhi di tutti, nonostante si siano succedute nel corso degli ultimi decenni firme e ratifiche di diverse Convenzioni Europee, per ultima quella di Faro del 2005 sul " Valore dell'eredità culturale per la società ". Si tratta di testimonianze di come in ambito europeo sia nata una nuova visione del bene archeologico nello specifico e del " cultural heritage " in generale, quali elementi del paesaggio degni di tutela non solo per il loro intrinseco valore artistico ma anche per il ruolo guida all'interno dei processi di costruzione dell'identità storica delle città contemporanee. Nonostante tali premesse, la strada da percorrere è ancora lunga, come prova l'utilizzo ancora assai in voga della locuzione " rischio archeologico " invece di " potenziale archeologico " , sebbene in letteratura esso sia un concetto ormai completamente superato1 Non si tratta di una semplice sostituzione linguistica, lessicale ma di un evidente cambio di paradigma in cui la stratificazione archeologica non è più intesa come un fattore di criticità per interventi edilizi o infrastrutturale. In questa sede sarà specificatamente affrontato il tema della cartografia di potenziale archeologico, cioè di modelli predittivi appositamente creati come strumenti decisionali per i processi di pianificazione territoriale e/o urbana. Nello specifico, il potenziale archeologico di un'area rappresenta la probabilità più o meno alta di rinvenire una stratificazione archeologica, di maggiore o minore rilevanza, in una determinata area e calcolato ricavando e integrando dati provenienti da ambiti assai distinti quali analisi paleo-ambientali, geologiche, storico-artistiche ecc. Si tratta, pertanto, di uno studio complesso che produce come risultato finale un algoritmo geo-spaziale in base al quale è lecito predire l'esistenza di una stratificazione archeologica conservatasi in loco. Partendo da esperienze e modelli ormai consolidati, su tutti il progetto MAPPA per la realtà pluristratificata di Pisa (consultabile all'indirizzo http://www.mappaproject.org), si esporrà in questa sede il progetto, pensato e portato avanti da chi scrive in collaborazione con l'ente Parco dell'Etna, per la redazione di una carta di predittività archeologica per il territorio compreso tra i comuni di Bronte e Maletto, situati sul versante Nord-occidentale del vulcano Etna.
Cultural Heritage Studies by Andrea Gennaro
L'Indice Penale, 2017
Sommario: 1. Introduzione. -2. Il patrimonio culturale come "portatore di segni". -3. l'avanzata ... more Sommario: 1. Introduzione. -2. Il patrimonio culturale come "portatore di segni". -3. l'avanzata di daesh e la visione iconoclasta. -4. Il traffico di beni culturali. -5. brevi cenni sulla normativa internazionale.
Siculorum Gymnasium , 2016
Il tema L’Europa e gli altri necessita, per la sua stringente attualità e per l’importanza che ri... more Il tema L’Europa e gli altri necessita, per la sua stringente attualità e per l’importanza che riveste, di una riflessione che sia la più ampia possibile, un’analisi in grado di coinvolgere anche discipline che, almeno a un primo e veloce sguardo, apparirebbero tagliate fuori. Tale considerazione sembrerebbe valere anche per l’archeologia: quale legame avrebbe la ricerca archeologica con temi di rilevanza internazionale quali l’arrivo di centinaia di migliaia di migranti in Europa, le problematiche legate alla loro accoglienza o l’affermazione in tutto il continente di movimenti politici di chiara matrice populista? Quale è la connessione tra un frammento ceramico del Neolitico e l’ondata xenofoba che spira soprattutto nei Paesi dell’Est? Riprendendo il tema della valenza socio-politica dell’archeologia, su cui si è versato molto inchiostro nel corso soprattutto degli ultimi decenni, cercheremo di capire se l’archeologia possa avere un ruolo, ed eventualmente di che genere, nella costruzione di un orizzonte politico-culturale europeo.
The Archaeology of Death.Proceedings of the Seventh Conference of Italian Ireland, Archaeology held at the National University of Galway, April 16-18, 2016, 2018
Summary
The use of the past for the construction and deconstruction of modern identity, and the ... more Summary
The use of the past for the construction and deconstruction of modern identity, and the contribution provided by archaeology
in these processes, has become a topic of much debate over the last decades. Archaeology, as unfortunately can be seen by the
recent destruction of cultural heritage in Syria and elsewhere, consciously or unconsciously provides symbols and materials
for the political, historical or pseudo-historical narratives of communities and states. The present work, analysing some Italian
cases, from Calabria, Sardinia and Sicily, invites a reflection on the political role of archaeology in contemporary Italy.
Riassunto
La strumentalizzazione del passato, la costruzione e decostruzione dell’identità moderna e l’apporto fornito dall’archeologia
in tali processi costituisce uno degli ambiti di ricerca su cui si è più scritto nel corso degli ultimi decenni. L’archeologia, infatti,
come è tristemente stato sottolineato dalle distruzioni del patrimonio culturale a cui abbiamo assistito recentemente, fornisce,
in maniera consapevole o inconsapevole, simboli e materialità alla narrative politica di una comunità o di uno stato. Il presente
lavoro, analizzando alcuni casi italiani, provenienti specialmente dalla Calabria, dalla Sardegna e dalla Sicilia, vuole invitare a
una riflessione sul ruolo politico dell’archeologia nell’Italia contemporanea.
Thesis by Andrea Gennaro
GIS and Remote Sensing by Andrea Gennaro
CAA 2018, 2023
Automated and semi-automated image classi cations have made their way into archaeological applica... more Automated and semi-automated image classi cations have made their way into archaeological applications, but early attempts have been strongly criticized. is study examines semi-automated detection methods of archaeological evidence through a comparison of pixel-based and object-oriented data classication. is research has been carried out on high-resolution imagery (Worl-dView-2) and the selected case study is located on the western slope of Etna (Sicily), the highest volcano in Europe, where a huge variety of settlements can be found from Prehistoric to Medieval times. e methodology of both pixel-based and object-based data classi cation is described and discussed over to speci c case-study. e di erent nature of the two methods combined with the post-dictive approach adopted provides useful results in order to determine robustness and weakness of techniques presented here. In fact, our goal is to analyze advantages and disadvantages of the usage of pixel and object-based classi cation techniques and shed light on the signi cant change in pattern recognition. Finally, the obtained data are compared with manual visual interpretations and analyzed in terms of their accuracy.
2018 IEEE International Workshop on Metrology for Archaeology and Cultural Heritage (MetroArchaeo 2018) Proceedings, 2018
This paper describes a variety of modern geomatics techniques for the detection and survey of eme... more This paper describes a variety of modern geomatics techniques for the detection and survey of emerging archaeological structures in Sicily. The case study presented in this work is related to an archaeological site that lies on the North-Western flank of Etna, the highest active volcano of Europe. For the field survey, we used an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) equipped with a high-resolution camera and a GPS for the ground control points. In addition, we produced a Digital Surface Model (DSM) and several detailed orthophotos of the detected structures. The geomatic approach here adopted made significant contributions to our reconstruction of the past settlement located between "Balze Soprane" and "Santa Venera" districts.
Archeologia e Calcolatori, 2019
Mathematical Methods in the Applied Sciences, 2019
We propose a new GIS-based procedure to retrieve archaeological elements using satellite remote s... more We propose a new GIS-based procedure to retrieve archaeological elements using satellite remote sensing. The processing of multispectral satellite images consists in a preprocessing phase using the pansharpening technique to improve the spatial quality and in the exploitation of linear equations of the initial spectral bands with the aim of generating accurate and precise raster data that can be used as input for an object classification. The proposed methodology has been tested in an archaeological area located on the northwest flank of Etna volcano (Sicily, Italy).
Experimental band combination of multispectral satellite imagery for the analysis and classification of archaeological features AIP Conference Proceedings 2116, 2019
We proposes a new procedure to highlight archaeological elements using satellite remote sensing. ... more We proposes a new procedure to highlight archaeological elements using satellite remote sensing. The processing of multispectral satellite imagesconsists in the exploitation of linearequations of the initial spectral bands with the aimof generating accurate and precise raster data that can be used as input for an object classification. The proposed methodology has been tested in an archaeological area on the north-west flank of Etna volcano (Sicily, Italy).
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Papers by Andrea Gennaro
During the excavations (September 2009) in Begastri, was discovered a piece of an attic
red-figure vase: it’s a small bell-krater, a very common shape in the South of the Spain; we can attribute it to the «very large» G Group. This krater is dated aroud the middle of the IV century.
Conference Presentations by Andrea Gennaro
Starting from old and new evidence at our disposal, we present and analyze chafing dishes recovered from Italian excavations in Gortyn, discussing typology, fabrics, chronology and origins. In addition, we'll try to understand these finds within the perspective of the larger historical and socio-economic developments of Gortyn and, more in generally, middle Byzantine Crete.
(2011-2012) and Arcadia University (2013-2105) in partnership with the Pontifical Commission for Sacred Archaeology have produced a remarkable amount of ceramic materials ranging from fine ware related to an earlier Late Hellenistic and Early Roman context, and Late Roman coarse wares, cooking wares and amphorae from contexts dated between the 4th and the late 7th century AD. Since Siracusa was the capital of the Roman province first and later of the Byzantine Empire, this evidence represents a representative case study for the region. Ceramic artifacts from different areas of the Region C of the Catacombs
of St. Lucy, including Sector F, the Oratory C and the Crypt VI, were tested non destructively with a portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometer to study production and circulation of fine and coarse ware in Sicily Late Roman and Early medieval periods. Analyses
using a Bruker III-SD were conducted on 73 ceramic samples, selected from the commonest ceramic classes. Samples were analyzed on broken edges, focusing on trace elements Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, and Nb. Quantitative values were produced using widely shared calibration
software for these elements, and principal components analysis of the data show that the ceramics fall into distinguishable groups, with most of the artifacts tested most likely coming from clay sources near each site. Further investigation will assess whether there are patterns based on object type and decoration, and the advantages and disadvantages
of using this method.
The challenge of approaching Medieval Sicily with this proposal is to analyse and interpret the materiality of these many 'transitions' on archaeological records.
This session aims to show the main results of those ongoing archaeological and historical works at medieval suburbia and rural sites of Sicily. It is thus intended to update traditional views regarding the evolution of this territory from Late Antique to the Middle Ages by bringing into consideration new data recovered from archaeological excavations undertaken in several sites across Sicily, new information coming from the review of written accounts and new reflections from contrasting both material and documentary records.
In particular, the session will address the following topics:
- Dynamics of rural settlement patterns.
- Suburbium between countryside and city.
- Landscape of power: churches, monasteries and palaces.
- Material culture and economic trajectories beyond the cities.
This session will be therefore a necessary space of discussion between the different European scholars currently engaged in the study of Medieval Sicily in order to compare data, results, methods and new theories.
This study examines semi-automated methods to identification of archaeological features through a comparison of pixel-based and object-oriented data classification. Several experiments have been carried out on high-resolution imagery (WorldView-2) of the North-West of Etna (Sicily), the European’s highest volcano, where a huge variety of settlements can be found from Prehistoric to Medieval times.
The methodology of both pixel-based and object-based data classification is described and discussed over to specific case-study. The different nature of the two dataset, with distinct characteristics in archeological and enviromental side, provides usefull results in order to determine robustness and wickness of approaches presented here. The obtained data are exported to a GIS environment and compared with manual visual interpretations and analyzed in terms of their accuracy.
Finally, field data was collected in the study area to control the features of archaeological buried remains and to serve as a reference for the accuracy assessment.
Cultural Heritage Studies by Andrea Gennaro
The use of the past for the construction and deconstruction of modern identity, and the contribution provided by archaeology
in these processes, has become a topic of much debate over the last decades. Archaeology, as unfortunately can be seen by the
recent destruction of cultural heritage in Syria and elsewhere, consciously or unconsciously provides symbols and materials
for the political, historical or pseudo-historical narratives of communities and states. The present work, analysing some Italian
cases, from Calabria, Sardinia and Sicily, invites a reflection on the political role of archaeology in contemporary Italy.
Riassunto
La strumentalizzazione del passato, la costruzione e decostruzione dell’identità moderna e l’apporto fornito dall’archeologia
in tali processi costituisce uno degli ambiti di ricerca su cui si è più scritto nel corso degli ultimi decenni. L’archeologia, infatti,
come è tristemente stato sottolineato dalle distruzioni del patrimonio culturale a cui abbiamo assistito recentemente, fornisce,
in maniera consapevole o inconsapevole, simboli e materialità alla narrative politica di una comunità o di uno stato. Il presente
lavoro, analizzando alcuni casi italiani, provenienti specialmente dalla Calabria, dalla Sardegna e dalla Sicilia, vuole invitare a
una riflessione sul ruolo politico dell’archeologia nell’Italia contemporanea.
Thesis by Andrea Gennaro
GIS and Remote Sensing by Andrea Gennaro
During the excavations (September 2009) in Begastri, was discovered a piece of an attic
red-figure vase: it’s a small bell-krater, a very common shape in the South of the Spain; we can attribute it to the «very large» G Group. This krater is dated aroud the middle of the IV century.
Starting from old and new evidence at our disposal, we present and analyze chafing dishes recovered from Italian excavations in Gortyn, discussing typology, fabrics, chronology and origins. In addition, we'll try to understand these finds within the perspective of the larger historical and socio-economic developments of Gortyn and, more in generally, middle Byzantine Crete.
(2011-2012) and Arcadia University (2013-2105) in partnership with the Pontifical Commission for Sacred Archaeology have produced a remarkable amount of ceramic materials ranging from fine ware related to an earlier Late Hellenistic and Early Roman context, and Late Roman coarse wares, cooking wares and amphorae from contexts dated between the 4th and the late 7th century AD. Since Siracusa was the capital of the Roman province first and later of the Byzantine Empire, this evidence represents a representative case study for the region. Ceramic artifacts from different areas of the Region C of the Catacombs
of St. Lucy, including Sector F, the Oratory C and the Crypt VI, were tested non destructively with a portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometer to study production and circulation of fine and coarse ware in Sicily Late Roman and Early medieval periods. Analyses
using a Bruker III-SD were conducted on 73 ceramic samples, selected from the commonest ceramic classes. Samples were analyzed on broken edges, focusing on trace elements Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, and Nb. Quantitative values were produced using widely shared calibration
software for these elements, and principal components analysis of the data show that the ceramics fall into distinguishable groups, with most of the artifacts tested most likely coming from clay sources near each site. Further investigation will assess whether there are patterns based on object type and decoration, and the advantages and disadvantages
of using this method.
The challenge of approaching Medieval Sicily with this proposal is to analyse and interpret the materiality of these many 'transitions' on archaeological records.
This session aims to show the main results of those ongoing archaeological and historical works at medieval suburbia and rural sites of Sicily. It is thus intended to update traditional views regarding the evolution of this territory from Late Antique to the Middle Ages by bringing into consideration new data recovered from archaeological excavations undertaken in several sites across Sicily, new information coming from the review of written accounts and new reflections from contrasting both material and documentary records.
In particular, the session will address the following topics:
- Dynamics of rural settlement patterns.
- Suburbium between countryside and city.
- Landscape of power: churches, monasteries and palaces.
- Material culture and economic trajectories beyond the cities.
This session will be therefore a necessary space of discussion between the different European scholars currently engaged in the study of Medieval Sicily in order to compare data, results, methods and new theories.
This study examines semi-automated methods to identification of archaeological features through a comparison of pixel-based and object-oriented data classification. Several experiments have been carried out on high-resolution imagery (WorldView-2) of the North-West of Etna (Sicily), the European’s highest volcano, where a huge variety of settlements can be found from Prehistoric to Medieval times.
The methodology of both pixel-based and object-based data classification is described and discussed over to specific case-study. The different nature of the two dataset, with distinct characteristics in archeological and enviromental side, provides usefull results in order to determine robustness and wickness of approaches presented here. The obtained data are exported to a GIS environment and compared with manual visual interpretations and analyzed in terms of their accuracy.
Finally, field data was collected in the study area to control the features of archaeological buried remains and to serve as a reference for the accuracy assessment.
The use of the past for the construction and deconstruction of modern identity, and the contribution provided by archaeology
in these processes, has become a topic of much debate over the last decades. Archaeology, as unfortunately can be seen by the
recent destruction of cultural heritage in Syria and elsewhere, consciously or unconsciously provides symbols and materials
for the political, historical or pseudo-historical narratives of communities and states. The present work, analysing some Italian
cases, from Calabria, Sardinia and Sicily, invites a reflection on the political role of archaeology in contemporary Italy.
Riassunto
La strumentalizzazione del passato, la costruzione e decostruzione dell’identità moderna e l’apporto fornito dall’archeologia
in tali processi costituisce uno degli ambiti di ricerca su cui si è più scritto nel corso degli ultimi decenni. L’archeologia, infatti,
come è tristemente stato sottolineato dalle distruzioni del patrimonio culturale a cui abbiamo assistito recentemente, fornisce,
in maniera consapevole o inconsapevole, simboli e materialità alla narrative politica di una comunità o di uno stato. Il presente
lavoro, analizzando alcuni casi italiani, provenienti specialmente dalla Calabria, dalla Sardegna e dalla Sicilia, vuole invitare a
una riflessione sul ruolo politico dell’archeologia nell’Italia contemporanea.
The research aimed to establish the authenticity of the artwork and the origin of the raw material, providing indications about the textural and compositional features and of the alteration products as well as identifying traces of any previous restoration interventions. For these purposes, after a
preliminary assessment of the state of conservation of the bust using visual inspections supported by a handheld digital microscope, different analytical techniques, including polarized optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive spectrometry (SEM-EDX), carbon
and oxygen stable isotope ratio determinations (13C and 18O), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), were used. The results highlighted the originality of the artifact, thus remarking on the importance of the precious archaeological find to be included in the
cataloging of tangible assets in the panorama of Italian cultural heritage.
storica vissuta dai diversi comprensori. Presenteremo, in maniera problematica, alcuni dati ormai consolidati in bibliografia e seppur in maniera del tutto preliminare, ci soffermeremo su alcuni nuovi dati, frutto dei nuovi progetti di ricerca avviati sotto la direzione scientifica della Soprintendenza.