Description
The territory of Cupra Marittima has, for years now, been the subject of a lively archaeological research activity involving academic institutes, local authorities and associations. The multiplicity of actors, visions and approaches is always a harbinger of a dialogue which, although sometimes complex, in the long run generates a wealth of results from which the reference community primarily benefits.
The recently established superintendency for archeology, fine arts and landscape for the provinces of Ascoli Piceno, Fermo and Macerata immediately wanted to contribute to give continuity and strengthen the actions already started by the previous ABAP Marche superintendence in Cupra Marittima as in other very important archaeological sites in the provinces of Ascoli Piceno, Fermo and Macerata. To the huge resources allocated by the Ministry of Culture to guarantee the material protection of the Civita and the Nymphaeum, there is added support for research and enhancement projects promoted by academic institutions and the municipality, in particular implemented thanks to the professionalism and competence of the Paola Mazzieri archaeologist officials and Tommaso Casci Ceccacci.
The research that this volume illustrates, conducted by the medieval archeology group of the Ca' Foscari University of Venice, under the scientific direction of Prof. Sauro Gelichi, represents an important step in the path of knowledge on the transformations of the landscape after the ancient age in the context of Cupra Marittima. The historical, social and urban events of Cupra make this specific territory a significant case-study for a more general understanding of the transformation processes of the landscape of the Marches, due to the cyclical phenomena of deconstruction-reaggregation of the settlements after the fall of the Roman Empire d 'West.
(Giovanni Issini, Superintendent of archeology, fine arts and landscape for the provinces of Ascoli Piceno, Fermo and Macerata)