Edilizia residenziale e spazi del lavoro e della produzione nelle ville di Puglia e Basilicata tra Tardoantico e Altomedioevo: riflessioni a partire da alcuni casi di studio

Archaeological research in rural areas of late antique Apulia and Lucania let it possible to outline important phenomena of selection and restructuring of villas: some residences are characterized by accentuated displays of luxury, others are specialized in agricultural productions and manufacturing. In many cases, a close relationship between the pars urbana and the pars rustica seems no longer to exist. Especially between the late 6th and 7th century, the transformation of residential villas into places of production is well documented. Ceramic kilns, decantation basins, lime kilns, metalworking and dolia have been found in residential rooms, sometimes showing planned forms of reoccupation. In some cases, the level of the artisanal specialisation, the architectural solutions adopted, the quality of the material culture and the patterns of economic activities are associated with new and dynamic types of settlements.