LiDAR and landscape archaeology: a case-study from Sellano (PG) between prehistory and the Middle Ages

This paper presents the preliminary results of a landscape archaeology project focusing on the territory of Sellano (PG), with particular emphasis on the integration of existing archaeological records and remote sensing data, especially LiDAR. The study area, situated between the Umbra Valley and the Nera Valley, remains relatively underexplored archaeologically and is characterised by considerable morphometric and morphological complexity. As such, it provides a suitable framework for a systematic assessment of long-term settlement dynamics from prehistory to the medieval period. The research began with the identification and mapping of known archaeological sites based on bibliographic and archival sources, alongside data from previous field surveys. In parallel, the examination of LiDAR datasets — currently only partially available for the area — enabled an evaluation of the detectability of recorded sites and the identification of topographic anomalies potentially indicative of previously undocumented archaeolog- ical features. On this basis, broad chronological phase maps were developed to outline general trends in patterns of territorial occupation. Particular attention is also given to the morphometric properties of settlements, with the aim of identifying recurring locational preferences and settlement patterns between prehistory and the Middle Ages. The study ultimately aims to assess the value of LiDAR not only as a tool for site detection, but also as an instrument for territorial analysis capable of integrating diverse datasets and offering new interpretative perspectives on the historical development of the Umbrian landscape.