Ancient Appia Landscapes: paesaggi antichi e risorse attuali. Alcuni casi di studio dal territorio di Beneventum

Ancient Appia Landscapes: ancient landscapes, present resources. This paper discusses briefly some reflections related to the "Ancient Appia Landscapes" Archaeological project, carried out by the University of Salerno, in collaboration with the Soprintendenza Archeologia, Belle Arti e Paesaggio per le province di Caserta e Benevento. The project aims at the reconstruction of the Benevento territory in its anthropic and environmental elements, from a historical and archaeological point of view. The identification of ancient relics of the landscape has been made through the use of cartography in the broadest sense of the word, from the most recent supports to the historical cartography, geophysical surveys, geomorphological and archaeological maps. Cartography is therefore intended as a means of representing a reality structured on multiple time scales, readable through a regressive approach which is able to seize the stratification of anthropic and environmental processes. The idea is that the identification of ancient agrarian assets through surface surveys and cartographic analysis can highlight historical and cultural values of landscapes, translating them into a resource for the community. In this sense, the ancient Via Appia between Beneventum and Aeclanum represents the leitmotiv of a highly conservative landscape. The reconstruction of this ancient path could become particularly relevant in light of recent approaches to the enhancement of historical roads, which have been recognized as fundamental elements in the structuring of communities and territorial dynamics over time. The Via Appia could become a cultural resource with which it is possible to recover, develop and enhance vocations, geographical and productive specificities, aiming at planning in agreement with local authorities and communities. In this way, an open approach to the integration of territorial resources can transform cultural heritage in a catalyst for a socio-economic sustainable development.