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Figure from:A non-invasive archaeological approach to the study of mountain top settlements: first results from the hillfort of Montagna di Gildone in ancient Samnium (CB, Molise), in: T.D. Stek, The State of the Samnites (Rome 2021), 141-150.

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Montagna di Gildone: total number of finds per point sample (site density 216 finds/PS) Fig. 11. Point sampling scheme showing the find densities per Point Sample. The results confirm the continued presence of archaeological materials also in highly vegetated and impervious areas. The Samnite/Hellenistic finds cover most of the hilltop plateau, often also in lower densities. The concentration of sites to the North- East, around Fonte San Lorenzo, peaks earlier, in the Pre- and Protohistoric periods but also yields Samnite/ Hellenistic period settlements. The concentration to the South-East, at Colle Casarino yields finds from the (late) Medieval to Renaissance periods (by R.A.A. Kalkers). The point sampling strategy coupled with a line transect survey allowed for the collection of ceramic and lithic material at a very high spatial precision, which enabled statistical analysis of the material distribution and its association with structures that had been detected using other methods.

Figure 11 Montagna di Gildone: total number of finds per point sample (site density 216 finds/PS) Fig. 11. Point sampling scheme showing the find densities per Point Sample. The results confirm the continued presence of archaeological materials also in highly vegetated and impervious areas. The Samnite/Hellenistic finds cover most of the hilltop plateau, often also in lower densities. The concentration of sites to the North- East, around Fonte San Lorenzo, peaks earlier, in the Pre- and Protohistoric periods but also yields Samnite/ Hellenistic period settlements. The concentration to the South-East, at Colle Casarino yields finds from the (late) Medieval to Renaissance periods (by R.A.A. Kalkers). The point sampling strategy coupled with a line transect survey allowed for the collection of ceramic and lithic material at a very high spatial precision, which enabled statistical analysis of the material distribution and its association with structures that had been detected using other methods.

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landscapes is the inaccessibility of these areas. Apart from common issues in the interpretation of Fig. 1. Location of the hillfort of Montagna di Gildone in Molise (IGM, map made by R.A.A. Kalkers). The archaeological site of Montagna di Gildone (CB, Molise) is one of the major hillforts cur- rently known within the Samnite area (Fig. 1). Parts of its imposing polygonal walls have been mapped and an abundance of surface material has been noted.’ However, many aspects of the site and settlement, such as its extension, chronology, and use are yet to be investigated further. As a part of the Zappino Area Archaeological Project? the site has been studied in detail using a combination of non-invasive methods, which revealed several otherwise invisible aspects of the settlement and its direct environs. we a ee ge, a wei ( ey OS eg
landscapes is the inaccessibility of these areas. Apart from common issues in the interpretation of Fig. 1. Location of the hillfort of Montagna di Gildone in Molise (IGM, map made by R.A.A. Kalkers). The archaeological site of Montagna di Gildone (CB, Molise) is one of the major hillforts cur- rently known within the Samnite area (Fig. 1). Parts of its imposing polygonal walls have been mapped and an abundance of surface material has been noted.’ However, many aspects of the site and settlement, such as its extension, chronology, and use are yet to be investigated further. As a part of the Zappino Area Archaeological Project? the site has been studied in detail using a combination of non-invasive methods, which revealed several otherwise invisible aspects of the settlement and its direct environs. we a ee ge, a wei ( ey OS eg
Fig. 2. Reconstruction of the walled circuit by Di Marco 1989, accepted by Oakley 1995, 127 fig. 145.
Fig. 2. Reconstruction of the walled circuit by Di Marco 1989, accepted by Oakley 1995, 127 fig. 145.
Fig. 3. New reconstruction of the walled circuit on the basis of LiDAR data (image J. Garcia Sanchez). A non-invasive archaeological approach to the study of mountain top settlements archaeology hidden below the thick forests of Central Italy. High resolution LiDAR images al- low us to create digital elevation models (DEM) at 1 meter surface resolution, even through dense vegetation. For the LiDAR processing we used LasTools amongst other applications and project- ed the LiDAR datasets to a UTM projection. We then filtered the ground points and created digital terrain models (DTM) using different algorithms and software to enhance the potential to identify archaeological features. Lastly, we visualized the datasets using standardized methods,’ alternative filters such as the Resampling Filter in SAGA GIS, or 3D lidar visualization.® Ths Racanccal al thks cseeweensadk f6 clecdles. Ass eecceacel Ss. tks aecs AC WaAReer ee Bo Oolaees
Fig. 3. New reconstruction of the walled circuit on the basis of LiDAR data (image J. Garcia Sanchez). A non-invasive archaeological approach to the study of mountain top settlements archaeology hidden below the thick forests of Central Italy. High resolution LiDAR images al- low us to create digital elevation models (DEM) at 1 meter surface resolution, even through dense vegetation. For the LiDAR processing we used LasTools amongst other applications and project- ed the LiDAR datasets to a UTM projection. We then filtered the ground points and created digital terrain models (DTM) using different algorithms and software to enhance the potential to identify archaeological features. Lastly, we visualized the datasets using standardized methods,’ alternative filters such as the Resampling Filter in SAGA GIS, or 3D lidar visualization.® Ths Racanccal al thks cseeweensadk f6 clecdles. Ass eecceacel Ss. tks aecs AC WaAReer ee Bo Oolaees
Fig. 5. Georesistivity survey at the concentration of sites to the North-East of the hillfort, at Fonte San Lorenzo (by A. Hamel). Fig. 4. Drone image with crop mark of a feature within the concentration of settlements to the North-East of the hillfort, in the area of localita Fonte San Lorenzo (site TAP07; T.D. Stek and R.A.A. Kalkers).
Fig. 5. Georesistivity survey at the concentration of sites to the North-East of the hillfort, at Fonte San Lorenzo (by A. Hamel). Fig. 4. Drone image with crop mark of a feature within the concentration of settlements to the North-East of the hillfort, in the area of localita Fonte San Lorenzo (site TAP07; T.D. Stek and R.A.A. Kalkers).
Fig. 6. Standard field survey at Montagna di Gildone. The walled area is in red. The fields that have been sur- veyed around the hillfort are in blue. The discovered sites are indicated with their TAP numbers (by R.A.A. Kalkers). the bedrock. However, we were able to achieve good results with electric georesistivity surveys in fields directly around the hillfort. These surveys revealed that the fortified area was surrounded by an extensive settlement (Fig. 5), especially in the eastern lower terraces above localita S. Maria a Quadrano near Fonte San Lorenzo. Our understanding of these features is pending as the abundant surface finds that were collected during the standard and point sampling surveys first need to be studied in detail to aid in interpretation. However, it is evident that there was a complex settlement history at this location. A number of features were mapped with high accuracy, from pre/protohis- toric sites dated to as early as the Copper Age to sturdy features from the Samnite/Hellenistic peri- od. These findings were also confirmed by the field and point sampling surveys.
Fig. 6. Standard field survey at Montagna di Gildone. The walled area is in red. The fields that have been sur- veyed around the hillfort are in blue. The discovered sites are indicated with their TAP numbers (by R.A.A. Kalkers). the bedrock. However, we were able to achieve good results with electric georesistivity surveys in fields directly around the hillfort. These surveys revealed that the fortified area was surrounded by an extensive settlement (Fig. 5), especially in the eastern lower terraces above localita S. Maria a Quadrano near Fonte San Lorenzo. Our understanding of these features is pending as the abundant surface finds that were collected during the standard and point sampling surveys first need to be studied in detail to aid in interpretation. However, it is evident that there was a complex settlement history at this location. A number of features were mapped with high accuracy, from pre/protohis- toric sites dated to as early as the Copper Age to sturdy features from the Samnite/Hellenistic peri- od. These findings were also confirmed by the field and point sampling surveys.
Fig. 7. Map of the Point Sampling grid imposed on the Montagna di Gildone. Not the entire Montagna was covered, instead random as well as informed arrays were sampled (image J. Garcia Sanchez).
Fig. 7. Map of the Point Sampling grid imposed on the Montagna di Gildone. Not the entire Montagna was covered, instead random as well as informed arrays were sampled (image J. Garcia Sanchez).
Fig. 8. Point sampling: with bad visibility the vegetation is removed (photo J. Garcia Sanchez).
Fig. 8. Point sampling: with bad visibility the vegetation is removed (photo J. Garcia Sanchez).
Fig. 9. Point sampling in conditions with bad visibility yet good access (photo R.A.A. Kalkers).
Fig. 9. Point sampling in conditions with bad visibility yet good access (photo R.A.A. Kalkers).
Fig. 12. Selection of early diagnostic finds from the Pre- and Protohistoric site TAP101 at Fonte San Lorenzo (T.D. Stek and R.A.A. Kalkers). Another goal of our approach was to obtain information from the inaccessible zones be- tween the wider agricultural landscape and the hilltop centers. Interpretations of our initial data suggested that these zones were densely occupied. Point sampling in highly vegetated areas pro- duced relatively large numbers o f finds, confirming the presence and/or continuation of ancient activity in these zones. Overall, the first results indicated that substantial settlements were present on and directly around the Montagna di Gildone, mostly dating to the Pre- and Protohistoric to Samnite/Hellenistic periods ( Fig. 11). Outside the walled circuit on the northeastern slopes, above localita S. Maria a Quadrano and near Fonte San Lorenzo, a cluster of sites was discovered with abundant finds from as early as the Chalcolithic period and the Samnite/Hellenistic period (site TAP 101, Fig. 12). After what seems to be a long caesura from the late Republican period
Fig. 12. Selection of early diagnostic finds from the Pre- and Protohistoric site TAP101 at Fonte San Lorenzo (T.D. Stek and R.A.A. Kalkers). Another goal of our approach was to obtain information from the inaccessible zones be- tween the wider agricultural landscape and the hilltop centers. Interpretations of our initial data suggested that these zones were densely occupied. Point sampling in highly vegetated areas pro- duced relatively large numbers o f finds, confirming the presence and/or continuation of ancient activity in these zones. Overall, the first results indicated that substantial settlements were present on and directly around the Montagna di Gildone, mostly dating to the Pre- and Protohistoric to Samnite/Hellenistic periods ( Fig. 11). Outside the walled circuit on the northeastern slopes, above localita S. Maria a Quadrano and near Fonte San Lorenzo, a cluster of sites was discovered with abundant finds from as early as the Chalcolithic period and the Samnite/Hellenistic period (site TAP 101, Fig. 12). After what seems to be a long caesura from the late Republican period
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