Lo Scoglietto nel paleo-paesaggio della piana di Grosseto

Abstract : This chapter discusses the geological and morphological aspects of Monti dell’Uccellina, and the historical evolution of the coastal plain of Grosseto, particularly of the area at the foot of Scoglietto. The mountain chain is com- posed of Mesozoic and Paleogene formations, while the coastal plain was formed more recently (i.e. in the Pleistocene and Holocene).The historical advancement of the coastline brought about a gradual narrowing of the bay below Scoglietto, a phenom-enon already occurring during the Middle Ages and completed before the year 1300 AD. This indenture of the coastline formed a convenient natural harbor in ancient times but due to silting was later abandoned.These observations are consistent with the dissolution of the temple (mid 4th century) and the abandonment of the entire area of Scoglietto in the 6th century. According to the available archaeological data, the coastal strip of land named Tombolo did not favour permanent set-tlement or road building until the second half of the 1st c. AD. In fact, the via Aurelia vetus, constructed around 241BC, followed the ancient lagoon coastline. Consequently, it ran closer to the towns of Rusellae and Vetulonia: a more advanta-geous route from which to control both the Etruscans and their territories.The increasing importance of the harbours/landings network during the first Imperial age spurred the development of the local infrastructure, including a road connecting the harbours, the production and storage site of Lo Spolverino, and the small temple of Scoglietto. It is likely that the whole area was under public ownership by the end of the 1st c. AD. By the early 5th c. it is likely a breakdown of the settlement network occurred since there is no more archaeological data from this area for any subsequent period until the late Middle Ages.