Geoarchaeology and palaeoDEMs modelling to assess the archaeological potential of Ravenna and its hinterland

Executor: Michele Abballe (Department of Archaeology – Ghent University

Department of Cultures and Civilizations – University of Verona)

Three hand augering campaigns were carried out between 2018 and 2020 in the hinterland of Ravenna, within the doctoral research of the executor,  to gain new insights into the physical transformations that occurred in the last 3000 years. Based on known archaeological and geomorphological  data, and historical sources available, six case studies were selected to carry out targeted geoarchaeological research. The research was successful  in understanding landscape changes caused by alluvial phenomena, including rivers avulsions and flooding processes, which often led to the  reclamation of pre-modern marshlands.