Cupra Maritima tra tarda antichità e alto medioevo: dati e problemi

Cupra Maritima between late Antiquity and the early Middle Ages: data and challenges. The interest in the Roman town of Cupra Maritima has recently experienced two moments of more intense field research and studies through the projects Arcus 2005-2007 and 2011-2012. We are now starting a reflection focused on the latest phases, between the 4th and the 8th century. Among the main themes there are the processes of transformation of the urban fabric and its monuments and the timing and modes of its decline and abandonment in favor of the neighboring hill. Perhaps from the end of the fourth century the city and its surroundings might have been characterized by the presence of Christian buildings. At that time, we also have Ostrogothic bow brooches that came from the rock of St. Andrew, a natural defense with strategic functions. The destruction in the area in 554 at the hands of the Frank Leutari seems the prelude to a period of more intense traumatic events, which, however, did not determine its sudden abandonment.