Underground artificial cavities in Apulia: quarrying culture and reclamation of a forgotten heritage / Cavità artificiali sotterranee in Puglia. Cultura estrattiva e recupero di un patrimonio dimenticato

This paper presents the results of the preliminary studies and analyses carried out on artificial cavities in Apulia as part of a national research project called Priority – Integrated project for the mitigation of sinkhole risk induced by underground caves, in which the National Research Council of Italy, University of Bari, University of Milano-Bicocca and Polytechnic University of Bari cooperated. This research tries to clarify the diffusion and typology of artificial cavities in Apulia, more specifically of cavities made for mining purposes, as well as excavation techniques and tools, aspects of architectural value and risks of abandon associated to structural degradation. The aim of the research is to identify best practices for the reclamation and reuse of cavities, in order to safeguard this cultural heritage that links underground spaces with above-ground cities, to reduce the risks arising from the vulnerable condition of a region that actually affects the whole southern Italy