New methods and tools for a geo-archaeological risk-map. A case study of rupestrian heritage in the Unesco site of Matera

The very particular situation represented by the town of Matera and its surrounding, as the "Parco archeologico storico-naturale delle Chiese rupestri del Materano" represents one of the most famous rupestrian settlement of the Mediterranean basin, mentioned in the UNESCO World Heritage. The need therefore to think of an efficient tool for research, for the territorial cataloging and for the planning of a proper development, in compliance with the requirements of the protection of cultural heritage, has continued to formulate more technical levels, such as analyzing risk factors, the drafting of the spatial constraints Map, the cooperation in the activities of territorial planning and actions for the protection and preservation, including the restoration and maintenance of monuments and sites. In the frame of a wider project focused on the mapping of the archaeological and cultural heritage of this area, we also planned the draft of the geo-archaeological risk Map of the rock churches located along the slopes of the Gravina stream, in front of the town. The research has experimented a model of analysis validated for the area, which could be extended in others territorial districts. The methodology employed for the evaluation of geo-archaeological risk represents an intermediate solution between a purely quantitative approach and the realization of qualitative considerations on dangerous phenomena (erosion, decay, collapse) and their potential consequences for cultural heritage. The draft of a Risk Map, offers information about the conservation and value of the archaeological heritage, and at the same time it is the necessary preliminary approach to the implementation of projects aimed at restoration and enhancement of the archaeological and monumental heritage.