The influence of the geological–geomorphological setting on human settlements and historical urban development: the case study of Isernia (southern Italy)

Abstract

The map is aimed at illustrating the relationships between landscape evolution and human occupation in the Isernia basin since the Middle Pleistocene. We carried out a detail scale geological-geomorphological investigation integrated with archaeological data. Overall data suggest enhanced landscape modification related to the long-term evolution of the Isernia basin. Moreover, during the Middle Pleistocene an alluvial plain environment was present, as testified also by the famous Lower Palaeolithic site of Isernia La Pineta dated to ca. 600 ky. From 600 ky onwards, extensional tectonics and related valley incision reshaped the Isernia basin, with the formation of terraced surfaces and the deposition of a travertine plateau. Archaeological findings from the Lower Palaeolithic up to the Chalcolithic Age testify to preand protohistoric settlements on these surfaces. In historical times, Romans settled on the Isernia terrace ridge taking advantage of the outcropping travertines to support wall foundations and to extract construction material.

Encoded Landscapes: A Link between Inka Wall Orientations and Andean Geomorphology

“…The historical evidence suggests a deliberate intent by ancient cultures around the world to mirror the recurring natural fractal motifs in their architectural endeavors, embedding them into their architecture and meticulous urban layouts [13,14]. Moreover, numerous studies have explored the intricate relationship between geomorphology, astronomical orientation, and settlement planning, recognizing the relevance of natural landforms in the development and structure of urban spaces by ancient and modern cultures [4,[15][16][17].…”

Advances in Geoheritage Mapping: Application to Iconic Geomorphological Examples from the Italian Landscape

“…A geomorphological map is the starting point for many applications and for the realization of thematic maps. The latter is shown clearly by the worldwide abundance of derived and applied maps, such as hazard maps (e.g., [30][31][32]), nature conservation maps (e.g., [33]), maps designed for engineering purposes (e.g., [34,35]), factor maps for geodiversity assessment [36][37][38] or for comparing geodiversity with other functional factors (i.e., sediment connectivity; [39]), geoheritage maps (e.g., [4,5,[40][41][42]), geoarchaeological [43][44][45] and geo-tourist maps (e.g., [46,47]).…”