Physical evolution in central-eastern Veneto (Italy) and the ancient human settlements: model reconstruction by RS multispectral satellite analysis

Abstract

In the frame of the Territorial Planning the interaction between the physical and human systems and the interdependence of the second one is a newness, still now never explored. The central-easter territory of the Veneto Plain and the adjacent lagoon strip East of Venice have been investigated by RS- multispectral satellite SPOT images. The final aim was to reconstruct the physical dynamic characters and the system interactions to know better their significance in relation with the ancient human presence. Hitherto, particular attention has been dedicated to the geomorphological change phenomena and to the consequent location of the natural resources, considered as potential monitors of the human settlements. In this framework the Piave, Tagliamento and Isonzo rivers result to be the most making and modeling agents of the region. Besides, the territorial analysis has put in evidence a brittle tectonic model, explaining the lowering of the area as a result of Plio-Quaternary faulting. The model clearly has controlled and controls the morphological evolution of the plain and lagoon systems, with particular reference to the eastwards fluvial trend. In the plain region the land stability, certainly consolidate since pre-historic age, and the presence of abundant natural resources have permitted to the ancient man a complete use of the territory. This strong model is now too testified by the sins of different agrarian Roman networks, interacting and oriented in order to provide the maximum hydraulic functionality. In the lagoon basins, instead, the ancient anthropic settlements appear to be mainly controlled by the effects of the estuarine river dynamics, so that the site or settlement spread depends on the limited areas, that is islands and salt marshes.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.