La gestione delle acque interne e degli spazi marittimi nello sviluppo di Populonia tra l’età del Ferro e la romanizzazione

The Etruscan and Roman settlement of Populonia represents a useful case-study to understand the relationships between the maritime/“external” areas and the “inland” hydrographic system of an ancient town, through its changes over time. Known as the only Etruscan town founded directly “on the sea”, Populonia flourished since its beginnings in the Iron Age thanks to its connections with Sardinia and Corsica, and to the transfer of metallurgical skills, which favored the local (included those on the Elba Island) sulphide and iron ores exploitation. The town also exploited its “inland waters”, using the two wide lagoons which until the Renaissance occupied the Piombino’s plan and the flat land north of Populonia as a supply source for salt, fishery, fish farming and also for the navigation. One of the harbors recalled by the literary sources, that of “Populonio”, was probably located on the shores of the southern lagoon. This network composed by settlements, cult places, harbors, natural resources basins and geomorphological and hydrographic peculiarities was connected by a road system which was consolidated during the Roman times and is still recognizable.