Abstract
The Ofanto river is the most important waterway in the karstic Apulia region and both nature and man have constantly written on its landscape palimpsest over centuries. The lower valley and the mouth are highly representative of the river landscape, currently threatened by abandonment and degradation. It could be considered an interesting case study of an area outside the major touristic flows but with great potential in terms of cultural values and local development. Following the approach of the landscape archaeology and crossing multi‑disciplinary analyses, the area is interpreted as a complex palimpsest. The paper points out a strategy of valorization of the river valley within the frame of the wider regional programmes by proposing an ecomuseum of the territory. The insights and the suggested guidelines allow the area to be “re‑signified,” to preserve the heritage and highlight the variety of features that make it unique in the local context.
Highlights
The Ofanto river is the most important waterway in the karstic Apulia region and both nature and man have constantly written on its landscape palimpsest over centuries
By crossing multi‐disciplinary analyses, it is possible to interpret the territory as a topographical and symbolic palimpsest and propose innovative strategies of valorization for the territory, which benefit from the contributions of the Nouvelle Muséologie and fall within the scope of the current regional development programmes.[3] fig. 1 [ page] The Ofanto river with Gargano promontory in the background (Massimiliano Cafagna)
In the project proposal for this paper, we reflect on the possibility of promoting an ecomuseum of the lower Ofanto valley, due to the specificity and organic nature of its landscape which is so rich in heritage and closely interconnected in all its cultural aspects
Summary
The Ofanto river is the most important waterway in the karstic Apulia region and both nature and man have constantly written on its landscape palimpsest over centuries. The lower Ofanto valley and mouth emerge as an interesting case study of an archaeological area outside the major touristic flows but with great potential in terms of cultural values and sustainable local development.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
