Archeologia della Montagna di Mezzo. Ricognizioni di superficie nella Versilia montana 2020-22

The archaeological investigation of the Versilian side of the Apuan Alps in northwestern Tuscany, coordinated by the MAPPALab at the University of Pisa, started in 2020. The study aims at an archeo-anthropological exploration of the middle mountain," considering it a socially constructed space with a dynamic ecological-relational dimension shaped by human and non-human interactions.The first phase, completed in October 2022, focused on surface surveys within the municipalities of Camaiore, Seravezza, and Stazzema. The methodology involves siteless surveying, documenting archaeological and environmental traces, and collecting oral histories. The ongoing second phase concentrates on the environmental archaeological framing of collected data to understand mountain landscape transformations over the past two centuries. Results reveal 467 topographic units emphasizing the modern and contemporary periods. The discussion explores the interconnectedness of these elements, highlighting the multifaceted landscape of the middle mountain, particularly in the contemporary era. Notable features include high pasture practices, agricultural terraces, charcoal-related activities, and the impact of the Gothic Line during World War II. The archaeological record vividly illustrates human abandonment, subsequent vegetation resurgence, and the rapid transformation of structures over time.