Insights into the buried archaeological remains at the duomo of lecce (italy) using ground-penetrating radar surveys

The present work aims to gather information on the subsoil stratigraphy and identify structures of probable archaeological interest under the Crypt of Duomo of Lecce (South Italy) with Ground Penetrating Radar (GRP) techniques. The area around is highly urbanized and has been the scenario of the social and political life of the town over the centuries. The surveys revealed a stratigraphic distribution of features that could be related to different historic periods, when analysed in the light of the few occasional references available in the historical-archaeological literary sources. Here we present and discuss those findings, especially regarding the Roman period. In particular we drew our attention on the Roman “Forum” of the town, because no ruins of this structure are kept, even if many historians agree that it would have been placed in the area we investigated. These findings could lead to a better characterization of the extent and the richness of the subsoil and should ultimately be used to guide future geophysical and archaeological investigations with the aim to produce a large scale 3D reconstruction of this area of the ancient town of Lecce.