Non-invasive prospection and landscape archaeology of Monte Primo (Marche, Italy): new perspectives on a monumental mountain site

This paper presents new research of the monumental mountaintop site Monte Primo near Pioraco (Marche, Italy) and the changing landscape in which it is situated. Monte Primo was in use between the Late Bronze Age and the Roman Republic period and is characterized by a series of large enclosures of uncertain date which cover an area of ca. 2 hectares. The earliest occupation of this 1300 m high summit is often interpreted as a fire offering place (Brandopferplatz) related to pastoral land use. Iron Age and Roman activity is attested by various bronze figurines found by metal detectorists and/or looting. Geophysical prospection, aerial photography, and surface modelling allowed to analyze the spatial organization of the large enclosures and natural features on the mountain, and to model the ritualized access to the summit. By placing Monte Primo in a longue dur?e context of increasing social complexity and landscape formation processes, this article proposes how this site was embedded in its cultural and natural surroundings, and how its role changed during its 1000-year occupation history.