Characterizing Elements of Urban Planning in Magna Graecia Using Geophysical Techniques: the Case of Tirena (Southern Italy).

We present the results of a geophysical study at the site of Pian della Tirena, near the town of Nocera Terinese(Calabria, Italy). Geophysical imaging is a recent technique providing a reliable mapping of the three-dimensionalmagnetization distribution below the ground and, thus, effectively estimating the depth of buried structures. The sitestudied gained archaeological interest following the hypothesis of the presence of two adjacent, but distinct, settle-ments. The first one of Hellenic/Hellenistic age (the Temesa of Brettian age), the second (called Tempsa) of Romanage. Even though the site was recently excavated, extensive investigation was not possible due to the broadnessof the area and the scarceness of traces at the surface, making it difficult to plan a targeted survey. Two detailedgeophysical (magnetic and electromagnetic) surveys were performed in 2006 and 2013 to provide the archaeologistswith precise information about the type and position of the buried structures, and increase the efficiency of theinvestigation. The survey aimed to: (i) confirm and outline the existence of a true urban settlement instead of isolateddwellings; (ii) locate centres ofmanufacturing activities (local pottery and metal handicrafts); (iii) verify the existence ofa boundary wall or road around the settlement. Our three-dimensional analysis and interpretation detected severalanomaly trends, most of which show a rather regular shape and orientation. This allowed us to infer the possibleexistence of a well-developed urban network. The final results provided an archaeological interpretation, buildingupon the urban network and different use-zones within the town.