Nuove ricerche nel territorio di Cutrofiano (Lecce) – Puglia meridionale

After the study of sherds coming from non systematic surface collections in the ‘80s, new data allows to analyze the territory of Cutrofiano in the centre of southern Apulia. Surveys, the stratigraphic excavation of a kiln and the observation of remote sensing images offer precious information that can contribute to the reconstruction of the Roman Imperial age landscape in this region. From the I century B.C. to the VI century A.D., some small rural settlements are linked to a fertile area with good surface hydrography as well as other important raw materials, like clay and wood. In the southern part of the territory of Cutrofiano, a Roman villa is now clearly recognizable, not only because of the presence of sigillata fragments on the field, but also thanks to aerial photographs.