This is a regional synthesis, which draws together a wide range of data concerning the Neolithic and Copper Age in the Abruzzo-Marche region (c. 5750-2050 Cal. BC), and examines it in the light of contemporary archaeological methods and theories and current topics of debate within Mediterranean prehistory. In Chapter 1 a new chronological framework is established, using radiocarbon, stratigraphic and typological dating methods. Five main chronological phases are defined, namely the early, middle and late Neolithic, the final Neolithic/early Copper Age, and the middle-late Copper Age. Chapter 2 provides a generalized reconstruction of the Neothermal environment, and changes in it, based upon present-day and prehistoric data from central Italy. An increasingly unstable ecological situation may have developed on the coastal lowlands during the Copper Age. In Chapter 3 changing patterns of settlement and subsistence are examined within four major geographical zones. These patterns remain similar to those previously identified by Barker, although new details and interpretations are provided, concerning, for example, colonization, settlement infilling and cattle breeding. Chapter 4 examines changes in the nature, scale and direction of networks of communication and exchange. The emergence of certain sites as regional nodes of production, consumption and exchange is charted, and developments in long-distance ceremonial gift-exchange and alliance systems are also proposed. Chapter 5 considers mortuary practices, which were performed in residential sites, caves and special-purpose burial sites. Neolithic rites may have expressed concern over group unity, structural divisions in society and the threats of death and economic misfortune, whereas Copper Age transformations might be understood in terms of growing social advertisement. In Chapter 6 these different themes are drawn together, along with a greater emphasis upon social factors and intra-regional variation. The development of certain sites as social and economic centres is, in particular, given further consideration. Suggestions for future research are made throughout the thesis, with reference to limitations in the existing body of data.

Notre capacité à anticiper les futurs forts séismes dépend de notre connaissance des événements passés. Or cette connaissance est limitée, faute de méthodes simples pour les identifier et de données pour les décrire. Notre objectif a ainsi été double : 1) Améliorer une méthode d'identification des séismes passés, -celle basée sur la datation des phases d'exhumation sismique de plans calcaires de failles normales par la mesure de leur contenu en 36Cl in-situ cosmogénique ; 2) Utiliser cette méthode pour acquérir de nombreuses données documentant les derniers grands séismes sur des failles cibles. Nous avons ainsi développé un nouveau protocole de modélisation des concentrations en 36Cl. L'originalité du protocole est de prendre en compte tous les facteurs intervenant dans la production du 36Cl et d'intégrer leurs incertitudes. Nous améliorons ainsi significativement la méthode 36Cl et quantifions les incertitudes qu'elle entraîne sur les nombres, âges et déplacements des séismes identifiés. Nous avons aussi collecté ~1000 échantillons à la surface de 11 plans de faille normale exhumés sismiquement (15 sites), dans la région Lazio-Abruzzo (Italie) site des séismes de l'Aquila (04-2009, Mw 6.3, ~300 victimes) et d'Avezzano (1915, Mw 7, ~30 000 victimes). La modélisation de 500 mesures 36Cl effectuées documente le fonctionnement sismique passé (14 ka) de 4 failles majeures, et suggère que celles-ci ont principalement rompu lors de phases paroxysmales (3-4 forts séismes en 2-4 ka), séparées par des phases quiescentes. Les courbes d'occurrence des séismes suggèrent que la région du Fucino présente un risque sismique élevé.

Lo studio ha come oggetto il materiale votivo dei santuari antichi dell’Abruzzo. Il primo capitolo ha analizzato l’origine e la diffusione dei votivi, le particolari definizioni che si applicano ai depositi votivi e le modalità dell’offerta. Nel secondo capitolo, dopo una breve storia degli studi, si sono affrontate le problematiche relative al contesto archeologico dell’Abruzzo, con particolare attenzione agli ethne degli Aequi, Marsi, Paeligni, Vestini, Marrucini, Praetuttii e con un breve quadro storico delle diverse fasi: età del ferro - IV secolo a.C, età repubblicana, prima età imperiale. Il terzo capitolo è dedicato alla metodologia applicata nella catalogazione dei luoghi di culto (Regesto), utilizzando una scheda-tipo in un Database relazionale, e alla metodologia adottata nella classificazione del materiale votivo. La ricerca ha privilegiato l’analisi di quattro depositi votivi tutt’ora parzialmente o completamente inediti. I capitoli 4, 5, 6 e 7 sono dedicati ai quattro casi: Monte Giove, Pescosansonesco, Castel di Ieri e Luco dei Marsi; a un’introduzione su ogni sito segue il catalogo del materiale. Infine nel capitolo 8 sono le conclusioni, con una sintesi relativa alla produzione e diffusione dei votivi e al loro legame con le pratiche cultuali. In appendice è il regesto dei luoghi di culto con la pubblicazione delle schede relative. / This study has been focused on votive objects which have been found in the ancient shrines of the Abruzzo region. As a first step I analized problems related to the origin and diffusion of votive deposits, to the different ways they can be defined and to the ways objects had been offered. The second chapter, after a short history of the previous studies, is dealing with the archaeological context of the Abruzzo during Preroman and Roman times, with a special attention devoted to the ancient populations who lived there: Aequi, Marsi, Paeligni, Vestini, Marrucini, Praetuttii and a historical frame of its chronological phases: Iron age-IV century b.C., Republican age, first Roman imperial age. The third chapter is devoted to the methodology applied in a complete catalouging of the cult places, by a relational Database (Regesto), and to the methodology used for classifying votives. My research focused on the analysis of four deposits, till now only partially edited or completely unpublished. The chapters 4, 5, 6 and 7 are devoted to these four cases: Monte Giove, Pescosansonesco, Castel di Ieri e Luco dei Marsi; after an introduction on every site the catalogue of the material is following. Finally the chapter 8 is devoted to the conclusions, with a final synthesis about votive production and diffusion and about their relation with cults. In appendix the Regesto of cult places follows, with the relative files.