The Work Group participates in excavation and research projects; it collaborates in the organization of exhibitions and conferences and in the study and publication of archaeological sites; it organizes book presentations, debates on specific topics, visits with discussion to archaeological sites, specialist consultancy on the study of Barbarian archaeological finds.
Excavation in Castelseprio
Project “Castel Seprio, a center of power“
A new excavation and research project is starting in Castelseprio (Lombardy), with the scientific coordination of Gian Pietro Brogiolo and with the research topics:
1) ecclesiastical power: church of Saint John and area to the north with towers (directed by Alexandra Chavarria Arnau, University of Padua)
2) civil-military power: the “fort-house” in its context (directed by Caterina Giostra, Catholic University – Milan)
3) possible residence of the Count: the tower-house near San Paolo, with early medieval phase with metallurgical activities (directed by Vasco La Salvia University “G. d’Annunzio” – Chieti)
The study of the territory, with geophysical surveys, is carried out in collaboration with the University of Milan.
Research products (dissemination)(link)
National Conference
“Sulle orme dei Longobardi fra Marche e Umbria. Ascoli, Castel Trosino, Spoleto”
Barbarian Archeology took part in the organization of the conference (Ascoli Piceno, 4-6 May 2023), curated by Paolo Delogu and Andrea Staffa in memory of Lidia Paroli.
Scientific Committee: Francesca M. Anzelmo, Paul Arthur, Angela Borzacconi, Gian Pietro Brogiolo, Carlo Citter, Paolo Delogu, Caterina Giostra, Marco Ricci, Andrea R. Staffa, Chiara Valdambrini.
With the patronage of: SAMI – Italian Medieval Archaeologists Society.
Exhibition on Lombard Tuscia
“Una terra di mezzo. I Longobardi e la nascita della Toscana”
The research group collaborated in the realization of the exhibition set up at the Archaeological and Art Museum of Maremma and its catalog (July 30 – January 6).
Scientific Committee: Andrea Camilli, Giulio Ciampoltrini, Carlo Citter, Marco De Marco, Caterina Giostra, Vasco La Salvia, Maria Angela Turchetti. Among the authors of the catalog also: Gian Pietro Brogiolo, Federico Cantini, Marco Valenti.
Archaeogenetics
Research project “Tracing Longobard Migration through DNA Analysis”
Participation in the international interdisciplinary research project focused on the analysis of nuclear DNA and stable isotopes (mobility and nutrition) of necropolis of Lombard culture between the Czech Republic and Italy.
Scientific Dir.: prof. Patrick Geary, Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton (U.S.A.).
See paper in “Nature. Communications” 2018 and “Archeologia Barbarica” 3.
Interdisciplinary research
Archaeology, anthropology and stable isotopes: the cemetery of Povegliano Veronese
A collaboration between the Catholic University and the University of Rome ‘La Sapienza’ coordinates the study of the Lombard burial ground of Povegliano Veronese (archaeological, anthropological and stable isotope analysis).
Scientific coordination: Caterina Giostra, Giorgio Manzi, Maryanne Tafuri, Ileana Micarelli.
See paper in “Nature.Scientific reports” 2020.
Study and publication
Funerary archeology in Cividale del Friuli: the necropolis by the Railway
An agreement between MAN of Cividale and the Catholic University regulates collaboration in the study of the Longobard burial ground discovered in recent years at the Railway by the former Superintendence of Archeology of Friuli Venezia Giulia.
Scientific coordination: Angela Borzacconi, Caterina Giostra.
The Duchy of Bergamo
The study of sites of Longobard culture in the Bergamo plain is underway. Among the most significant: the church of Sant’Alessandro in Fara Autharena (Fara Gera d’Adda), the large necropolis of Fara Olivana and the family funerary nucleus of Caravaggio, with wooden chambers.
Scientific direction: Maria Fortunati, Caterina Giostra.
The large necropolis of Sant’Albano Stura (Cuneo)
A fruitful collaboration with the Superintendency of Piedmont is completing the study and publication of the necropolis of Sant’Albano Stura, where 842 tombs have been unearthed: the largest burial area of Lombard culture currently known in Italy.
Scientific direction: Egle Micheletto, Sofia Uggé..