Ricostruzione della linea di costa dell’area di Pyrgi (Santa Severa, Roma), un antico insediamento marittimo etrusco

Abstract

Historical sources report that the ancient Etruscan harbour of Pyrgi became important starting from the 7th century, when Caere already exercised almost unconditional control over the Tyrrhenian Sea. It was emporia harbours category of the 4th and 5th centuries suitable for receiving a great number of ships. Results obtained by gravity survey identify flysch bedrock trend and the Plio-Holocene deposits therefore geographical conformation of an ancient natural landing of the area, characterized by promontories and paleo-valleys different from the contemporary morphology. It is the result of natural processes, sea level changes and coastal erosion, and processes induced by anthropogenic activity: deforestation for ship building materials and for metallurgical activity. Denudation processes have affected the Tolfa Mts slopes and erosion sediment transport occurs in natural rivers, valleys and estuaries infilling, thus modifying the past coastal landscape environmental of the last 24 centuries.