LE VARIAZIONI DEL PAESAGGIO STORICO NEL TERRITORIO AQUILANO TRA GRANDI PERCORSI E MODALITÀ DELL’INSEDIAMENTO

Abstract

The territory of Abruzzo near L’Aquila, for which a first contribution to the archaeological map had already been drawn up
in 2007, proved to be of great use in the phases immediately following the earthquake of 6 April 2009. After the event, research
continued on the ground and with monitoring flights with the Carabinieri to detect damage to the area, which made it possible
to increase knowledge of the unknown archaeological evidence present in the area. In this contribution the theme of the road
system, especially minor ones, has been developed in the strip of territory between L’Aquila and Capestrano, along the route of
the Tratturo Regio which, like many other road routes used since prehistoric times, has been, over time, a conduit for commercial
and cultural exchanges and therefore a driver of development, even over long distances. The route has been the subject of many
reinstatements carried out over the centuries; the land of the sheep-track strip was repeatedly occupied, until the route completely
disappeared. In some sectors of the area examined, unknown minor road routes have been outlined, serving settlements of different
size and chronology, identified along their route.

Key words:Ancient Topography; survey; aerial photographs; restitution of traces; monitoring flights