Siponto. Un laboratorio di archeologia globale per lo studio delle città, dei paesaggi e delle comunità in trasformazione

ArchaeoSipontum is an interdisciplinary research project aimed at investigating the long-term development of the ancient and medieval city of Siponto through a holistic archaeological approach integrating urban archaeology, landscape archaeology, geoarchaeology, archaeometry, palaeoenvironmental studies and public archaeology. Within the framework of the CHANGES project, Siponto provides an outstanding case study for exploring the relationships between environmental dynamics, urban development, social resilience and cultural heritage across more than two millennia. Recent investigations have substantially improved our understanding of the Roman colony, the medieval town, the coastal landscape and the complex processes that led to the gradual transformation of Siponto and the foundation of nearby Manfredonia. At the same time, the project has developed innovative public archaeology initiatives involving local communities, schools and migrant groups, promoting heritage as a shared resource for social inclusion and sustainable territorial development. Rather than focusing on the history of an abandoned city, the research highlights the long-term transformations of an urban and coastal landscape, demonstrating the potential of global archaeology to interpret the complexity of interactions between environment, settlements and communities.