The Albagino Project (ASLAP) 2017-2018. Preparing to excavate

Posted on by mvaproject

On the Albagino landscape

Albagino is a green plateau in the forest on the north-eastern side of Monte Gradi in the heart of the Apennines between Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna. Albagino is not far from the Futa Pass and the altitude of this site is around 625 meters. Albagino changes its aspect during the four seasons exhibiting a very fascinating mountain landscape. During the winter the snow covers the forest, and the small artificial lake at Albagino becomes frozen, while in the spring the rich vegetation sprouts again revealing the typical vibrant colors of the Apennines landscape.

 

 

 

 

 

The surveys

In 2107 several surveys were undertaken at Albagino by Prof. Gregory Warden and Arch. Alessandro Nocentini, together with the authorities and experts who participated in ASLAP research.

27th January 2017 – The first inspection at Albagino with Dr. Susanna Sarti, the archaeological inspector of Soprintendenza ABAP of Florence, Pistoia and Prato; Claudio Scarpelli, the major of Firenzuola; and members of the Gruppo Archeologico of Bruscoli.

Snow-covered Albagino in early 2017.

 

 

 

 

 

13th march 2017 – the second inspection at Albagino with Mr. Ippolito Ippolito, the landowner and Dr. Susanna Sarti, the archaeological functionary of Soprintendenza ABAP.

10th July 2017 – the third inspection at Albagino with Mr. Ippolito Ippolito, the landowner and Dr. Susanna Sarti, the archaeological functionary of Soprintendenza ABAP.

 

Dr. Susanna Sarti arriving at the site in 2017.
Posts in pietra serena are set into the ground to serve as control points for the 5 meter grid.

11th July 2017 – The cognitive survey carried out with Georadar thanks the collaboration of Prof. Paolo Mauriello and Dr. Marilena Cozzolino, ITABC; and Dr. Federico Pratesi of the DIDA Department of the University of Florence. Geological analysis were instead conducted on the Albagino site by the geologists, Pellegrino and Lorenzo Innocenti.

Dr. Marilena Cozzolino’s Georadar survey.
The official trench notebook, ASLAP 00001, is presented by Greg Warden.

The 2018 Season | The first days

During the early days of excavation, the first recording activity at Albagino was conducted by Arch. Alessandro Nocentini establishing some control points, crucial for the archaeological grid, and planning an accurate TS survey thanks by the special support of the Tommaso Tassini, Geometer; Romano Fezzi and Domenico Impemba, construction workers.

Alessandro Nocentini

July 15, 2018