Research > Research projects > MAPS - Methods and processes for the Analysis of Pluristratified Sites
Director:Maria Teresa D'Alessio
External links:
https://mapsproject.it/
In recent decades archaeological research has made great steps forward in converting local interests in single elements/monuments into broader investigations on an urban and territorial scale, focused on understanding the historical processes affecting ancient landscapes. The reason behind this change was the chance to analyse the ancient world not only in a merely horizontal way, but also recognizing its diachronic development over time, recovering the deepest chronological dimension through excavations and complex interpretations of sites. This proved to be particularly useful in the study of long-life urban centres, defined as “pluri-stratified” for this reason. Urban archaeology, carried out in Rome and in other large centres from the 1980s, developed thanks to the diffusion of the stratigraphic method and a consequent reading of ancient history by phases. This has made it possible to recognize the flowing of time by analysing the contexts found underground, allowing the reconstruction of long periods of occupation and transformations. However, only in recent years some of the earliest phases of occupation and birth of ancient cities are being investigated, and an attempt to understand lesser-known moments in the history of these places is being made. Hence, Pompeii and Ravenna have been identified as two ideal cities for the knowledge of urban landscapes in their development.
Sapienza has developed the information system for the knowledge of Pompeii, while the University of Bologna has worked on Ravenna.
The two sites, although apparently different in terms of history, chronological context, geographical setting and extent of the preserved monuments, show similar features of use and historical knowledge that make them an ideal context for experimentation. The differences do not represent a limit to the research, but they instead constitute an added value to it: the MAPS architecture, designed to host heterogeneous information from different systems, will be tested to adequately develop a system that may be used by the whole scientific community, institutions, and users from all levels and origins. The choice of the two sites is dictated by the long diachrony that distinguishes the cities which, although known and perceptible, has not yet been subject to a precise and exhaustive analysis. To date, there is no study for the two cities based on a tool useful for census, analysing, reconstructing and restoring the articulation over time of the different landscapes that characterized them. The multi-layering reality originating by the long-lasting settlement diachrony of the two cities is often flattened on the remains or monuments which mostly characterize the better known phases of life.
Collaborators:
Rosy Bianco, Sara Bossi, Valerio Bruni
- Bibliography
- R. Bianco, S. Bossi, M.T. D’Alessio, Architectures and urban landscapes in Pompeii: the project of Sapienza University in the Regio VII, in GROMA 6.2021, 2023, pp. 135-153.
- M.T. D’Alessio, R. Bianco, S. Bossi, V. Bruni, E. Pavanello, Architetture e paesaggi urbani a Pompei. Il Sistema informativo dell’Università Sapienza di Roma per l’analisi, la conoscenza e la gestione del patrimonio archeologico: l’Atlante della Regio VII, in E-Journal Scavi di Pompei, 25 (1-10-2024), pp. 2-14.
- M.T. D’Alessio, Abitare a Pompei. Esempi di lusso nell’architettura residenziale, Atti del Convegno internazionale Luxuria. Il peccato capitale dei Romani (Sapienza Università di Roma, 30 marzo-01 aprile 2023), in MAIA 77.1/2025, pp. 40-62. [ISSN 0025-0538]
- M.T. D'Alessio, Pompei dal basso: voci e tracce dalla Regio VII, in Atti del Convegno Internazionale «L’ALTRA POMPEI»: VOCI, TRACCE (Auditorium del Parco Archeologico di Pompei, 28-29 novembre 2024), c.s.
Further details about this research:
- Research type: Research project PRIN
- Research topic: Classical Archaeology
- Fundings: PRIN2022PNRR