download article as .pdf: Il tratto della via Appia tra Gravina in Puglia e Taranto: primi dati sulle ricognizioni di superficie nei territori di Altamura

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In the frame of a research project that aim to the reconstruction of the historical and archaeological dynamics that affected the section of the via Appia between Gravina in Puglia (BA) and Taranto, in Apulia et Calabria, surface surveys have been conducted along just under a third of the path of the Roman road included between the two modern towns. A fair amount of archaeological resources has been recorded in the area, most of them not previously known and consisted of artefact scatters, representing large time spans and different site types. Based on these data, it has been possible to put forward hypotheses about the relationships between the via Appia and the previous and subsequent road axes, outlining a preliminary framework of the ancient roadway in the considered area, both in terms of overlaps and continuity of use at different times, and in terms of relevance of the paths in their respective historical-economic contexts. Moreover, it has been possible to formulate new identifying proposals on the Blera and Sub Lupatia resting stations, reported by Itinerarium Antonini (121,3-5).

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