A huge late-Quaternary landslide (about 2·106 m3) dammed the Colfiorito basin in central Italy. This landslide was responsible for the formation of the present saddle, which divides the basin from the Chienti river valley. Landslide damming caused persisting lacustrine conditions during the Late Pleistocene-Holocene. High-standing lacustrine episodes are evidenced by two terraces located close to the top of the landslide dam, one of which can be related to the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). During this period, the landslide dam was probably overtopped by the imponded lake. Before and during the LGM, the area of the landslide dam was affected by alluvial deposition. The landslide-induced lacustrine environment has played a key role in the history of land use at Colfiorito. The presence of water close to a strategic area located at the divide between the Adriatic and Tyrrhenian regions favored its frequentation and settlement during the Upper Palaeolithic (in particular Aurignacian-Early Gravettian), as shown by the numerous archaeological remains contained in the alluvial deposits close to the landslide accumulation. During the Iron Age, the lake represented a unique source of sustenance, as indicated by the presence of peri-lacustrine settlements. In contrast, the land use drastically changed during antiquity with the Roman domination of the region. The necessity to cultivate new lands and particularly the problem of providing a food supply for Rome are the causes of the drainage of the Colfiorito lake by means of a tunnel excavated through the landslide dam. Based on radiocarbon dating, the operation of the Roman tunnel ended during the 5th7th centuries A.D. (dates related to the deposits filling the tunnel), but the continuation of agricultural vocations in the area did not fade, and a new tunnel, which operated until 2000, was built during the 15th century. Because of the damaged conditions of the 15th century hydraulic works, a third tunnel was built (between 1998 and 2000), which permits the drainage of the Colfiorito area and the continuation of the agricultural activities.
Persisting effects of the Colfiorito (central Italy) Pleistocene paleolandslide in the land use planning: Upper Palaeolithic and proto-historical coexistence, Antique-Modern modifications.
Messina P;Sposato A
2003-01-01
Abstract
A huge late-Quaternary landslide (about 2·106 m3) dammed the Colfiorito basin in central Italy. This landslide was responsible for the formation of the present saddle, which divides the basin from the Chienti river valley. Landslide damming caused persisting lacustrine conditions during the Late Pleistocene-Holocene. High-standing lacustrine episodes are evidenced by two terraces located close to the top of the landslide dam, one of which can be related to the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). During this period, the landslide dam was probably overtopped by the imponded lake. Before and during the LGM, the area of the landslide dam was affected by alluvial deposition. The landslide-induced lacustrine environment has played a key role in the history of land use at Colfiorito. The presence of water close to a strategic area located at the divide between the Adriatic and Tyrrhenian regions favored its frequentation and settlement during the Upper Palaeolithic (in particular Aurignacian-Early Gravettian), as shown by the numerous archaeological remains contained in the alluvial deposits close to the landslide accumulation. During the Iron Age, the lake represented a unique source of sustenance, as indicated by the presence of peri-lacustrine settlements. In contrast, the land use drastically changed during antiquity with the Roman domination of the region. The necessity to cultivate new lands and particularly the problem of providing a food supply for Rome are the causes of the drainage of the Colfiorito lake by means of a tunnel excavated through the landslide dam. Based on radiocarbon dating, the operation of the Roman tunnel ended during the 5th7th centuries A.D. (dates related to the deposits filling the tunnel), but the continuation of agricultural vocations in the area did not fade, and a new tunnel, which operated until 2000, was built during the 15th century. Because of the damaged conditions of the 15th century hydraulic works, a third tunnel was built (between 1998 and 2000), which permits the drainage of the Colfiorito area and the continuation of the agricultural activities.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
