Castiglione di Paludi: indagini aerofotografiche per la tutela, la conoscenza e la valorizzazione del Parco archeologico

T he archaeological Park of Castiglione di Paludi, established in 2016, lies on the southern edge of the Gulf of Sibari, on a plateau marked by the Coserie and Scarmaci streams. The settlement, surrounded by a fortification, seems to have been structured in the Brettio-Italic period, on levels attesting to a pre vious occupation between the Archaic and Classical periods. A necropolis of the IX-VIII century BC testifies an older frequentation. Research studies have identified a public area with ekklesiasterion and private buildings located along a road. T he aerotopographic analysis has revealed traces on the entire plateau. In the Southern sector, character ized by a large natural cavity, there are evident trac es related to a quarry. Establishing possible connec tions with the ancient town will be the object of future investigations. Spatial analyses were conducted to guide the future interventions and prepare touristic itineraries. The best connection routes between Castiglione di Palu di and some of the sites of the 4th - 3rd centuries BC situated in the area were calculated. The predictive models generated by ArcGIS Spatial Analysis tools were useful in highlighting paths incurring low en ergy costs. Significantly, these paths lead to areas contiguous to the gates of the fortification.