Living with Seismic Phenomena in the Mediterranean and Beyond between Antiquity and the Middle Ages. Proceedings of Cascia (25-26 October, 2019) and Le Mans (2-3 June, 2021) Conferences

In terms of seismic risk mitigation, archaeoseismological research in architectural field is interesting because it deals with two of the three aspects that determine seismic risk of a site. Firstly, such research provides important information on the seismic history of the area in which the object of the study is located, thus providing background for investigating seismic hazard. Secondly, it offers a better understanding of the structural behaviour of the building in relation to seismic stress, suggesting the best method of intervention to reduce its vulnerability. Although early studies in this field have achieved interesting results, we are still far from having identified an applicative method for this new kind of data. The state of current knowledge, as well as potential and unresolved questions regarding this new and interesting discipline will be illustrated. The author will also present the case study of medieval Venetian bell towers, which have undergone strong seismic action in antiquity.