The archaeology of some ancient pastoral sites in the territory of Montescaglioso (4th - 1st century BC). An interdisciplinary approach from the Bradano valley (Basilicata - south Italy)

In the territory of Montescaglioso (Basilicata), intensive archaeological survey has documented a number of rural sites, mainly occupied between the 4th and the 1st century BC. Some of these sites probably represent structures linked to the pastoral exploitation of the territory. This article presents the first data from the survey research about the location of ancient sites and current practices of pastoralism in the area, together with geomorphological and land-use studies in relation to the occupation and exploitation of the land, botanical studies and geochemical analysis to determine the organic residues in the soil. The research includes studies on animal bones, pollen and non-pollen palynomorphs from archaeological excavations of ancient sites located in the same area. Due to the interdisciplinary approach of the research we can advance some hypotheses of sheep farming activities from the classical and Hellenistic age, intensively practiced in a part of the hill system of Montescaglioso.