Osservazioni geomorfologiche sull’evoluzione della Piana costiera di Velia (Cilento, Campania) sulla base di nuovi rinvenimenti archeologici

Geomorphological observations on the holocenic evolution of Velia Coastal Plain (Cilento, Campania) based on new archaeological data

Abstract

New archaeological excavations in the area of Velia (Cilento, Southern Italy) have been carried out (KRINZINGER, 1987). In the low part of the southern quarter, materials and fabrics of the VI century B.C., covered by 3-4 m thick alluvial deposits consisting of very thin layers of sands and gravel with flat pebbles and silty levels, have been observed. That sequence is characterized by two different horizons showing typical liquefaction structures (paleosismites). Upon those sediments, materials ascribed to the IV century B.C. are present as well and covered in turn by other alluvial deposits (4- 5 m thick). Archaeological and stratigraphic studies allowed to carry out further remarks about recent evolution of the area, with regards to climatic changes conditioning periods of progradation and aggradation of the topographic paleosurface and relative coastline between VI and IV century B.C. until the recent epoch. The observations suggest that alluvial events have strongly influenced the history of the settlement located along the coastal plains of Southern Italy and probably the social-economic development of the people too.