The territory of Ammaia : topography and resources

This paper presents the results of a geoarchaeological survey project conducted between 2008 and 2011 in the hinterland of Ammaia that studied the relationship between Roman Ammaia and its exploitation territory or catchment area. The key objective was a landscape study of the town’s hinterland, with particular attention for the mineral resources. In the site selection process for new towns like Ammaia, the availability of food and water resources was a primary concern. Besides, also mineral resources such as building stones, limestone for mortar and metal were crucial for a town’s development. For this study, a site catchment analysis was performed; a method that is generally used for Prehistoric economies and that has only been applied rarely for the historical periods