Sampling in historical wetlands: a dataset for addressing landscape archaeology in Bassa Romagna (Ravenna Hinterland, Northern Italy)

This paper aims to present the dataset collected in 2008-2009, during the preliminary phase of the “Bassa Romandiola” project (University of Bologna), a landscape archaeological project that inves- tigates the hinterland of Ravenna (northeastern Italy); the city is located in the south-eastern Po Valley lowland, near the northern Adriatic coast. The dataset was produced through a review of all the already published materials, such as studies and reports (both historical and archaeological), and maps; it consists of 625 entries, divided into 4 main categories (Environmental features; Infrastructures; Archaeological discoveries; Historical sites). The paper also compares the outcomes of this preliminary research phase with the results of ten years of artefact survey (2009-present). The dataset discussed here brings about a significant advancement in the knowledge of this region. Indeed, previous studies were fragmented, focused on a single historical period, or characterised by a monodisciplinary approach. Finally, this dataset allowed us to define the best sampling strategy for the following artefacts surveys and was fundamental to ensure the success of the project in such a complex environment.