The “Vie Cave” archaelogical and geological site in Southern Tuscany (Italy). Proposal for Conservation.

The territory of Southern Tuscany, on the Lazio border, is characterized by the presence of extensive pyroclastic deposits emplaced by the Latera Volcano (part of the Monti Vulsini volcanic district). The area displays a peculiar tabular morphology, which was incised by deep gorges; these latter are characterized by a particular microclimate able to preserve patches of beech thermophilic forest of glacial-relict origin. In the areas of Fiora river confluence, the erosion formed tuff spurs bordered by steep slopes, upon which many settlements have sprung up since the Etruscan period, among which the present villages of Pitigliano, Sovana and Sorano, in Tuscany, had a particular development during the Etrusco-Roman Age and later during the Middle Age. In this unique landscape, the Etruscan civilization had built up a dense road network connecting towns, workplaces, places of worship and necropolises located throughout the territory; in order to overcome the difference in height between the bottom of the gorges and the plateaus above them, long cuts into the tuff were dug, the so called Vie Cave, taking into account the morphology and the mechanical characteristics of pyroclastic deposits Over the centuries, many of these pathways have lost their function of connection between the gorges and the agricultural lands of the plateaus and their regular maintenance was no longer carried out. As a consequence, the situation of abandonment has led to the complete degradation and naturalization of the sites, particularly in the areas where the major rock falls have occurred, but at the same time contributed to preserve the landscape generated by these pathways. This represents the greatest threat to the conservation of these sites but also the natural evolution suffered by the rock cliffs. The World Monument Found promoted in 2004 the “Vie Cave” as assets of global interest; this represents an important recognition and an incentive to take actions to protect this unique heritage. Currently the Vie Cave walls and several archaeological structures carved into them show a precarious stability, the constituent materials display high grade of decay intensified by the dense vegetation that has developed over the rocky scarps. The interventions of recovery should be carried out trying to prevent further degradation processes responsible of the roads and walls surface erosion and of the detachment of large block tuffs from the walls. The preservation of this important site and of its millenarian historical remains can be achieved only through a “holistic” approach, which has to take into account all the environmental components, either natural or anthropic, according to a long-term project of territorial management.