Archaeomorphological and Geological Studies on the Ancient Appian Way at the Aurunci Pass: Multidisciplinary Approaches for the Investigation of Ancient Quarries Siting and Exploitation.

A study on the ancient Appian Way between Itri and Fondi, central Italy, reveals that three previously unknown quarries were strategically located along carbonatic slopes. These quarries, identified through aerial photography and photogrammetric analysis, show distinct anthropogenic features such as squared or rectangular morphological edges and regular tool-marks, confirming their use during the Roman Age. The research demonstrates that the geometric characteristics of rock masses, including bedding, joint system spacing, and brittle deformation intensity, significantly influenced the type of material extracted and the exploitation techniques employed. Quarries A and B yielded cubic and pseudo-cubic rock blocks, while Quarry C produced centimeter-sized debris from a cataclastic rock volume associated with a normal fault. This investigation lays the groundwork for further analysis of local quarry systems, potentially including minor quarries used for road maintenance and other construction projects.

Carfora, P., & Di Luzio, E. (2016). Archaeomorphological and Geological Studies on the Ancient Appian Way at the Aurunci Pass: Multidisciplinary Approaches for the Investigation of Ancient Quarries Siting and Exploitation. Multi-, Inter- and Transdisciplinary Research in Landscape Archaeology. https://doi.org/10.5463/lac.2014.22