This research introduces a novel methodology to investigate ancient forms of settlement. The methods presented were applied to the community of the Pentri in Samnium from the 4th to 1st centuries BC. Among the many scholars who have dedicated studies and research to this issue, A. La Regina advanced an interesting and influential theory, the so-called ‘pagus-vicus’ system. However, once widely accepted, this view is now considered to have been surpassed. To propel research forward, the present work harnesses the power of GIS tools to unveil relationship networks between the sites, offering a promising route for new research and discovery. The research is based on the idea that the individual elements of an ancient landscape, such as fortifications, sanctuaries and villages, are determined by the life and history of the people who built them. Hence, considering their presence as it emerges from archaeological studies and ancient sources, several visibility algorithms were run. These algorithms, specifically the ‘Visibility Analysis’ plug-in in QGis v.3.28 operating on a DTM 10m, determine the areas visible from a given point and the possibility of reciprocal perceptiveness between two points, providing insights into the strategic placement of ancient sites. In order to simulate movement and drainage, areas of time-cost movement and least-cost paths were calculated, first between the fortifications and then around the area of Bojano, ancient Bovianum, through the ‘r.walk’ and ‘r.drain’ modules of GRASS GIS v.8.1 and the same DTM 10m. As a result of these analyses, we can appreciate that the fortifications of the Pentri, even when very close, have viewsheds which overlap more often than they are within sight of each other. We can also divide the sanctuaries into two main groups: those that can be seen from far around them and those that are far less visible. Regarding the second kind of algorithm, the entire area seems easily walkable, and the general result allowed us to imagine that the Pentri probably built fortifications to gain control over movement. Furthermore, in the case of Bovianum, the result of the algorithms reveals a model of an area under a single political power (the meddix), not big but with many places of interest within it - at least two sanctuaries, several fortifications and settlements. These results can help us to imagine a religious geography composed not only of some prominent major sanctuaries but also of many little temples in numerous small villages. The low grade of visibility of some of them, indeed, can be considered as proof of being originally part of a settlement, intentionally placed in a well-protected position. On the other hand, it is possible that the fortifications were intended to protect against hostile movements into Pentrian territory but also and more significantly, as bases for Pentrian expansion from it. Lastly, the model of the Bovianum area supports the idea of a federation of settlements or at least a more articulated system of political control. In conclusion, this research has unearthed significant insights that prompt a re-evaluation of both the old ‘pagus-vicus’ system and the more recent critiques of it. Moreover, it enriches our understanding of ancient settlement patterns and sheds light on how the Pentri differed from other Samnite communities in terms of history, military strategies, and territorial organization.
La presente ricerca offre una nuova metodologia all’indagine sulle antiche forme di insediamento; in particolare, i metodi presentati sono stati applicati alla comunità dei Pentri, occupante il Sannio tra il IV e il I secolo a.C. Tra i molti studi dedicati a questo tema, la teoria avanzata da A. La Regina, ovvero il cd. sistema "paganico-vicano", è risultata particolarmente interessante e influente. Sebbene un tempo ampiamente accettata, questa ipotesi è oggi considerata superata. Proprio nel tentativo di far progredire la conoscenza sul tema e innovarne gli assunti, il presente lavoro ha impiegato l’abilità degli strumenti GIS di mostrare le reti di relazioni. L’indagine ha trovato fondamento nel principio che i singoli elementi di un paesaggio antico, come le fortificazioni, i santuari e i villaggi, siano determinati dalla vita e dalla storia delle persone che li eressero. Pertanto, considerando la loro presenza e posizione per come emerge da studi archeologici e fonti antiche, sono stati eseguiti su di essi diversi algoritmi di visibilità. Questi (ovvero il plug-in "Visibility Analysis" presente in QGis v.3.28 utilizzato su un DTM 10m) determinano le aree visibili da un punto e la possibilità di reciproca percettività fra due, fornendo nuovi dati alla comprensione del posizionamento strategico dei siti in età antica. Per simulare il movimento, tramite i moduli "r.walk" e "r.drain" di GRASS GIS v.8.1 e lo stesso DTM 10m, sono state calcolate le aree di movimento e i percorsi più convenienti tra le fortificazioni e attorno all'area di Bovianum. Dalle analisi emerge come le fortificazioni dei Pentri, anche quando molto vicine, possiedono bacini visivi che si sovrappongono più spesso di quanto non ricadano l’una nella percettibilità dell’altra. Risulta altresì possibile dividere i santuari in due gruppi: quelli che possono essere visti dalle aree loro circostanti e quelli la cui visibilità in ingresso appare molto limitata. Per quanto riguarda il secondo tipo di algoritmi, l'intera area sembra facilmente percorribile e i risultati dei calcoli lasciano immaginare che i Pentri costruirono le fortificazioni con lo scopo di controllare i movimenti che vi avevano luogo. Infine, nel caso di Bovianum, il risultato degli algoritmi rivela un'area sottoposta a un solo potere politico (il meddix) che, sebbene non vasta, risulta includere diversi luoghi rilevanti (vi sono almeno due santuari, diverse fortificazioni e insediamenti). Tali risultati possono pertanto aiutarci a immaginare una geografia religiosa composta non solo da alcuni importanti santuari, ma anche da molti piccoli templi sparsi nei villaggi. Il basso grado di visibilità di alcuni di essi, infatti, può essere considerato quale prova della loro origine entro centri abitati posti in aree naturalmente protette. D'altra parte, è possibile che le fortificazioni non fossero solo destinate a proteggere dai movimenti ostili nel territorio pentro quanto piuttosto a fungere da basi per l'espansione degli stessi Pentri. Infine, il modello dell'area di Bovianum sembra supportare l’ipotesi di una federazione di insediamenti o almeno di un sistema più articolato di controllo politico. In conclusione, la ricerca offre nuove prospettive alla rilettura sia del vecchio sistema “paganico-vicano” che delle sue critiche. Inoltre, arricchisce la comprensione dei modelli di insediamento in età antica e fornisce nuovi dati sulle caratteristiche che probabilmente differenziarono i Pentri dalle altre comunità sannite.
Forme d’insediamento in area sannita tra IV e I secolo a.C.: un'analisi spaziale in ambiente GIS
Iafanti, Gabriella
2025
Abstract
This research introduces a novel methodology to investigate ancient forms of settlement. The methods presented were applied to the community of the Pentri in Samnium from the 4th to 1st centuries BC. Among the many scholars who have dedicated studies and research to this issue, A. La Regina advanced an interesting and influential theory, the so-called ‘pagus-vicus’ system. However, once widely accepted, this view is now considered to have been surpassed. To propel research forward, the present work harnesses the power of GIS tools to unveil relationship networks between the sites, offering a promising route for new research and discovery. The research is based on the idea that the individual elements of an ancient landscape, such as fortifications, sanctuaries and villages, are determined by the life and history of the people who built them. Hence, considering their presence as it emerges from archaeological studies and ancient sources, several visibility algorithms were run. These algorithms, specifically the ‘Visibility Analysis’ plug-in in QGis v.3.28 operating on a DTM 10m, determine the areas visible from a given point and the possibility of reciprocal perceptiveness between two points, providing insights into the strategic placement of ancient sites. In order to simulate movement and drainage, areas of time-cost movement and least-cost paths were calculated, first between the fortifications and then around the area of Bojano, ancient Bovianum, through the ‘r.walk’ and ‘r.drain’ modules of GRASS GIS v.8.1 and the same DTM 10m. As a result of these analyses, we can appreciate that the fortifications of the Pentri, even when very close, have viewsheds which overlap more often than they are within sight of each other. We can also divide the sanctuaries into two main groups: those that can be seen from far around them and those that are far less visible. Regarding the second kind of algorithm, the entire area seems easily walkable, and the general result allowed us to imagine that the Pentri probably built fortifications to gain control over movement. Furthermore, in the case of Bovianum, the result of the algorithms reveals a model of an area under a single political power (the meddix), not big but with many places of interest within it - at least two sanctuaries, several fortifications and settlements. These results can help us to imagine a religious geography composed not only of some prominent major sanctuaries but also of many little temples in numerous small villages. The low grade of visibility of some of them, indeed, can be considered as proof of being originally part of a settlement, intentionally placed in a well-protected position. On the other hand, it is possible that the fortifications were intended to protect against hostile movements into Pentrian territory but also and more significantly, as bases for Pentrian expansion from it. Lastly, the model of the Bovianum area supports the idea of a federation of settlements or at least a more articulated system of political control. In conclusion, this research has unearthed significant insights that prompt a re-evaluation of both the old ‘pagus-vicus’ system and the more recent critiques of it. Moreover, it enriches our understanding of ancient settlement patterns and sheds light on how the Pentri differed from other Samnite communities in terms of history, military strategies, and territorial organization.File | Dimensione | Formato | |
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https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14242/217801
URN:NBN:IT:UNIMOL-217801