Abstract
The Sassi of Matera (Basilicata region, southern Italy) is a peculiar site, but not unique in Italy, from a landscape point of view. Most of the buildings are excavated in rocks of calcarenite origin and used as homes and accommodation facilities. For this reason, the contribution of gamma radiation to the population due to this building material has been investigated for the first time. Even though the type of rock is not mentioned among the construction materials indicated in Italian Legislative Decree 101/2020 to be subjected to radiological characterization, the methodology indicated in the decree was applied, comparing the values with those present in the literature. The content of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K was then investigated with gamma spectroscopy, and the gamma index was calculated. The results obtained showed a low level of activity concentration of natural radionuclides in this type of stone, confirming the radiological safety. This result can also support the recovery and restoration initiatives for these buildings to conserve the architectural and landscape heritage of this village.
Highlights
The Sassi of Matera site constitutes a housing system in the Basilicata region (Southern Italy) erected on the plateau of the Gravina of Matera canyon, which was drilled to create tunnels and architectural sites
The latter has become the basic constructive cell called lamia or lamione. These two types of buildings coexist in harmony as the excavation work provides the material needed for the lamione [1]. Another example of a similar architecture can be found on Ischia Island, where several buildings were excavated in green tuff, a natural stone which is the result of the volcanic activity of the island dating back to 55000 years ago [2,3]
A previous study [2] revealed that the measured activity concentration values were higher than those relative to the Sassi site, they did not exceed the reference level indicated by the European Commission in the Directive 2013/59/EURATOM [10] and the Italian Legislative Decree 101/2020 [9]
Summary
The Sassi of Matera site constitutes a housing system in the Basilicata region (Southern Italy) erected on the plateau of the Gravina of Matera canyon, which was drilled to create tunnels and architectural sites. The city was built with calcarenite stone, locally called tufo, which is the pivotal element that gave the city its amazing architecture, with its structures both built with and excavated into the stone. The latter has become the basic constructive cell called lamia or lamione. These two types of buildings coexist in harmony as the excavation work provides the material needed for the lamione [1]. Tuff (or tufo) is a stone with a granular and very porous structure which, in addition to giving a contribution of gamma radiation, facilitates the exhalation of radon gas (222Rn)
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