UNDERLANDSCAPE Project  Workshop

In Plato's renowned allegory of the cave, he envisions a scenario where people have been imprisoned since childhood. These prisoners are bound in such a way that their legs and necks are restricted, compelling them to stare only at the wall before them. Behind them burns a fire, and between this fire and the prisoners lies a raised walkway with a low wall, where people pass by, carrying various objects or puppets. The prisoners, unable to see anything behind them, can only observe the shadows cast on the wall in front of them. They remain unaware that these shadows are merely reflections of objects positioned in front of the fire, let alone that these objects are mere imitations of real things existing outside the cave, which they cannot perceive.

The UNDERLANDSCAPE project (PRIN2020, CNR and Pisa University) set out to explore and uncover "the shadows in the cave" using a highly interdisciplinary approach. The examination of rock or underground structures represents a significant challenge in contemporary archaeological research. These structures have served as shelters since the earliest days of humanity and have often been repurposed and modified for various uses throughout history, depending on the environmental context and the exploitation of nearby natural resources. The inherent difficulties in studying these structures, combined with the long-standing challenge of integrating technical/scientific methods with humanistic research approaches, have historically complicated the development of standardized procedures for their study, conservation, and enhancement. The project's goal is to establish a comprehensive analysis protocol, applicable to rock and/or underground structures from the Neolithic era to modern times, utilizing the latest scientific techniques, primarily conducted on-site.

Conference Details

The conference will be held on January 30, 2025, providing an opportunity for scholars to present their research, engage in discussions, and connect with peers from around the world. Both submission and participation in the conference are free of charge, but registration is mandatory. The registration link will be made available in due course. Lunch will be provided by the conference organizers.

For any inquiries, please reach out to a member of the program committee.