Classificazione binomiale di elementi architettonici in ambito archeologico: un'ipotesi di lavoro sperimentale applicato al palatium Caetani a Capo di Bove

Each thematic area within the historical discipline shares the goal of understanding and transmitting past events and phenomena, while distinguishing itself by periodization (e.g., Greek history, medieval history) or type (e.g., classical archaeology, modern art history). Although these areas share common methodological principles, they develop their own specific characteristics. For instance, archaeology relies on excavation, with stratigraphy as a fundamental element, following Harris’s principles, which interpret sedimentary layers as a chronological sequence. However, Harris’s method, designed for superimposed stratifications, has limitations when applied to buildings with standing structures, such as ancient architecture. Elements like wall openings introduce ambiguities: Parenti considers these as distinct stratigraphic units only if created after the wall’s construction, but this approach proves inadequate for openings contemporary with the wall. To achieve a clear classification, it is necessary to decouple wall elements from the concept of stratigraphic units, as the heterogeneity of architectural contexts with preserved elevations requires more nuanced considerations than traditional methodologies. In the complex case of the Palatium Caetani at Capo di Bove, a binomial alphanumeric classification system is proposed to uniquely describe the macro and micro architectural elements within the stratigraphic wall units, providing a more accurate representation of the preserved architectural reality.