The geomaterials of the Argentario coastal towers (Tuscany-Italy)

Abstract

The Argentario peninsula, sited in Southern Tuscany, already attended by Etruscans and inhabited by the Romans, during the XIIth century became property of the Aldobrandeschi family whose domains were extended to the whole Southern Tuscany. In 1414 Argentario and the neighboring territories passed under the rule of the Republic of Siena which built a first system of fortifications against the barbarians. In 1557 all the Senese territories passed to Cosimo I de’ Medici allied with the Spanish crown which reserved for himself a small coastal strip comprising Orbetello, Talamone, Argentario, Capalbio and part of the Elba island, forming the State of Presidi. The military connotation of the territory was improved, building new coastal towers and numerous fortresses. In this contribution, the study of the building materials (ashlars and bedding mortars) of two selected towers (Capodomo and Calamoresca), is presented trying to find the relationship with the local supply in stones for lime and for ashlars. Moreover the archaeological study of the masonries has been carried out in order to understand the history of buildings evolution. Furthermore a survey of state of conservation of the buildings was performed in order to point out the guidelines for compatible conservation.