VICATIM HABITANTES. CENTRI MINORI IN ABRUZZO IN ETÀ ROMANA

The main centres and sites in the area are quite well known, while the minor settlements and the smaller towns are now widely investigated by local Superintendences and archaeologists, but they have never been properly studied systematically, both from the topographic point of view and in relationship with the surrounding territory. Moreover, they are generally closely related to the local road network and their development is greatly influenced by their locations and functions toward the main settlements and the exploitation of the territory. They are often the best sites to understand the mechanisms of settling as well as the role of the local productions and economy in the development and locations of these so called ‘minor sites’. Keywords: settlement, territory, road, topography, economy, trade, exchange, production, transhumance.