Hydrogeological hazard and risk in archaeological sites: some case studies in Italy

This paper describes the research activity carried out in some sample areas in Italy (Latium and Sardinia) dealing with the evaluation of geomorphologic hazard and risk with regard to landslides, floods and erosion processes for the historical sites. First of all, it is necessary to create a database of the archaeological wealth and an analysis of the geomorphologic processes interacting on them. This activity employs the Arc/Info ((c) ESRI Inc.) software in which the database is included for organising and georeferring all the information obtained with the direct survey analysis. All the geomorphologic processes influencing the archaeological sites (both on slopes and flood plain) were analysed to highlight the temporal and spatial distribution of elements that are threatened. The use of Geographic Information Systems provides the most effective procedure for a global and integrated analysis on the site information and on the intrinsic and external conditions of potential instability. Afterwards, the cases of hydrogeologic hazard are investigated applying geological engineering methods in order to indicate the main causes of instability and the possible remedial measures. (C) 2000 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS