Multidisciplinary approach for the stability analysis of a historical hypogeum in the municipality of Cisternino in the UNESCO site of the Itria Valley (Puglia, Southern Italy), aimed at a refunctionalization and valorization of the site |
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| Maurizio Lazzari, Davide Palma, Pierpaolo Moretti, Valentina Leopizzi |
- Abstract:
- This contribution focuses on a multidisciplinary study approach in a cultural context of excellence, protected by UNESCO, in which there are many hypogea of anthropic origin, unexplored and sometimes unknown, which should be studied and valorized. Among these, the case of a historical hypogeum is reported, located under a trullo (a typical historical rural structure of the Itria Valley) that could be repurposed and valorized. The problem was addressed with a preliminary geophysical (seismic refraction, MASW and georadar), geotechnical, geological and geomorphological investigation on site, which allowed to define and size the hypogeum, the thickness of the vault that separates it from the overlying flooring of the trullo and the state of fracturing of the calcareous rock mass, in which it was excavated. This investigation was followed by the archaeological verification of the soil deposits, the levels of frequentation and the artefacts present inside the hypogeum, which allowed us to frame the historical period of its first use in the Late Middle Ages. The stability analysis was performed using a model, also defined thanks to geophysical investigations, along two transversal sections of the hypogeum, applying a calculation code that provides a synthetic representation of the set of deformation vectors found in the various sectors of the hypogeum section, analyzing the elastic stresses that affect the underground excavation, with the definition of the two-dimensional plane deformation. The result of the stability verification showed that the areas affected by the vaults and areas close to the central septum are in conditions of potential collapse due to a greater structural weakness of the hypogeum both for the state of fracturing and for the alterations of the rock mass. This structural weakness could also be responsible for some crack patterns present in correspondence with the walls and vaults of the trullo above. All this has made it possible to obtain the information that is absolutely essential for the correct planning of the consolidation interventions and subsequent enhancement of the site, without distorting it and preserving its historical-archaeological peculiarities, which constitute an added and indispensable value. Therefore, in order to use the hypogeum for tourist and cultural enhancement purposes, a structural consolidation intervention with low visual impact is advisable, which can favor the increase of the safety factor and at the same time preserve the nature and historical identity of the hypogeum.
- Download:
- IMEKO-Metroarchaeo-2025-040.pdf
- DOI:
- 10.21014/tc26-2025.040
- Event details
- IMEKO TC:
- TC26
- Event name:
- TC26 MetroArcheo Conference 2025
- Title:
Metrology for Archaeology and Cultural Heritage
- Place:
- Bergamo, ITALY
- Time:
- 15 October 2025 - 17 October 2025