Centri fortificati dell'età del bronzo in Italia centro-settentrionale

From the Middle Bronze Age the fortified settlement with natural defenses or artificial fortifications increase in Northern and Central Italy. The trend is attributable to a generalb growth of the conflicts. Several solutions are adopted according mainly to the differen geomorphological conditions. The villages in Po valley and in the plains of eastern Veneto and Friuli are surronded by moats and wmbankements built with earth and wood structures (Terramare and villaggi arginati). In alpine and subalpine region were adpoted various solutions. The settlement are frequently located in sites that are naturally defended and also equipped with large walls in the areas of easier acces, while in Karst and Istrian area the pattern of "castelliere" with one or more perimetral stones walls was more frequent. During the Late Bronze Age in Apenine area and in Central Italy isolated and high tops, in several cases with massive artificial fortifications, were occupied. Some of these settlements had a cultural function connected probably to a territorial system which provided the association of various village communities, around religious and political centres. The best knoen case is the fortiofied settlement of Monte Cimino in South Etruria.