Routeways in Sicily’s Middle Bronze Age. Remote Sensing Analysis of Internal Communication Routes through the Territory of Milena (Caltanissetta, Italy)

Abstract

This research attempts to locate the pathways used during the Sicilian Bronze Age in the territory of the municipality of Milena (Caltanissetta, Italy), in a central area of the island. The study begins by analyzing settlement's superimposition from the Neolithic period through the Middle Ages. Using an interdisciplinary approach, it was possible to identify and hypothesize prehistoric routeways by combining UAV technology, remote sensing, and GIS applications. Thus, studying the ancient movement areas without new material evidence of their existence is possible. This methodological approach is a solution for identifying specific prehistoric pathways across the interior of Sicily. The settlement logic of the hinterland and mountainous areas on the island can sometimes be replicated in other parts of the island. The good results obtained allow us to use this case study as an example of best practices in identifying specific prehistoric routeways through the analysis of topographic features with combined technological methods to study other similar contexts.

Keywords

• Sicily
• Bronze Age
• Topography
• GIS
• Digital