Tra terra e acqua. Archeologia a Zagonara e nelle pianure ravennati

This volume presents the results of long-term archaeological research carried out in the lowlands of Romagna, with a particular focus on the medieval site of Zagonara and its surrounding landscape. Through a multidisciplinary approach combining archaeology, geoarchaeology, historical sources, environmental analyses, and material culture studies, the book explores the complex interactions between human communities and a highly dynamic environment shaped by water, sedimentation, and frequent flooding. The research addresses key processes that transformed the rural landscape between Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, including the formation of villages, the rise of castles, and the evolving relationships between rural communities, aristocratic elites, and urban powers. Central to the volume is the excavation of the castle of Zagonara, a deserted medieval village abandoned after the battle of 1424, which offers an exceptional case study for investigating settlement organization, economic practices, social stratification, and conflict in a wetland plain. By integrating territorial-scale surveys with detailed stratigraphic excavation, the volume highlights the adaptive strategies adopted by past societies in response to environmental instability and political change. Beyond presenting new archaeological data, the book reflects on the role of archaeology in reconstructing fragile landscapes and in fostering dialogue between scientific research, local communities, and heritage management.