Le cave del territorio di Siponto (Fg) e la cinta muraria della colonia romana: caratterizzazione archeometrica e studio delle provenienze dei materiali lapidei

This paper presents the results of an archaeological and archaeometric study on stone procurement strategies at Roman Sipontum, located at the southern edge of the Gargano. Romans founded the colony in 194 BC and refounded it in 186-185 BC, building an impressive fortification circuit 1,700 long, using large blocks from local calcarenite quarries. Recent archaeological surveys within its territory and surrounding areas enabled the identification and petrographic characterization of ancient extraction sites. Systematic sampling and petrographic analyses - including thin sections and X-ray diffraction - of quarry samples and wall micro-samples shed light on the sourcing strategies adopted for the construction of the city's defensive walls. The analyses show that the western quarries - closest to the site - provided the exclusive source for wall blocks across multiple construction phases, highlighting how local lithotype availability influenced Roman building practices.