The Potential for Valorisation of Archaeo-geosites Through Climate Change: Exploratory Study of the Nora Site (Sardinia, Italy)

In the study of past cityscapes, the inclusion of geodiversity and geomorphological dynamics can help in understanding the history of a settlement since before its foundation, and highlight the landscape processes involved in their cultural decline. In turn, this approach can give the opportunity to...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Geoheritage 2022-12, Vol.14 (4), Article 118
Main Authors: Mariani, Guido S., Melis, Rita T.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biogeosciences
Climate change
Cultural heritage
Earth and Environmental Science
Earth Sciences
Fluvial sediments
Geomorphology
Historical Geology
Holocene
Landforms
Landscape
Landscape/Regional and Urban Planning
Mineralogy
Original Article
Paleontology
Physical Geography
Quaternary
Sea level
Sea level changes
Sea level rise
Urban areas
Wave action
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Summary:In the study of past cityscapes, the inclusion of geodiversity and geomorphological dynamics can help in understanding the history of a settlement since before its foundation, and highlight the landscape processes involved in their cultural decline. In turn, this approach can give the opportunity to engage with a non-expert public on the themes of landscape and climate change at a global and local level. This work is a first step in exploring the geoheritage potential of the archaeo-geosite of Nora in southern Sardinia, a seaport of great importance during the Punic and Roman periods. The reconstruction of its Late Quaternary landscape history, especially of sea level change, would bring examples and guidelines on how to valorise the interaction between cultural heritage and geoheritage in archaeo-geosites. It would also enhance communication of geomorphological and climate issues. Landforms and stratigraphic sequences show the influence of sea level changes since Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 5. The passage from cemented coastal deposits to pedogenised fluvial sediments indicate lower sea levels during later stadial periods, up to a progressive land regression since the passage to the Holocene. Sea level rise impacted on the city of Nora in several ways during its development and later abandonment. Human structures now submerged show evidence of shielding against a progressively more damaging wave action. The visible effects of landscape processes on past urban settings would provide an effective tool to visualise the impact of landscape change on the lifestyle of human communities, and understand the potential associated risks.
ISSN:1867-2477
1867-2485
DOI:10.1007/s12371-022-00759-9