La Layetania interior : estudio arqueomorfológico en un área urbana (Vallès, Barcelona). Aspectos metodológicos

Abstract

Landscape research in urban or peri-urban areas implies important methodological constraints. In this sense, the area of study, placed in the Vallès basin, near the city of Barcelona, has known an important process of urbanization in the last two decades. This fact restrains the retrieving of archaeological data and the development of archaeological surveys and field-walking. The particular topography of the area must also be taken into account. It is characterised by soft slopes resulting from a differentiated seasonal rainfall. Archaeomorphological analysis has been therefore reconsidered in order to adapt its methods and techniques to this particular environment. The destruction of large agrarian areas implies that landscape morphology research must focus on an intensive work through historical cartography and old aerial photography within a gis environment. The article presents the results of the archaeological research developed in this area. The methodological approach previously exposed and the diversity of sources analysed has allowed us to characterize the ancient road network and to identify field systems from different periods.