摘要
This paper presents the research method applied to the ＂Archaeological Map of Italy--Forma Italiae＂ project, comprising to date the Ager Venusinus project （completed） and the Ager Lucerinus project （ongoing）. The idea of an Archaeological Map of Italy dates back to 1889 when by Royal degree the ＂Bureau for an Archeological Map of Italy＂ was created. Many decades later, with the advent of information technology and satellite observing systems （GPS） a ＂new era＂ of archaeological mapping began and the ＂Forma ltaliae＂, thanks to these technological developments, began to develop the first Territorial Information System of archaeological matter in Italy. Between 1989 and 1992, studies and experiments were carried out on automatic systems for the acquisition, calculation and management of archaeological data relating to the Carta Archeologica d＇Italia （Forma Italiae）. Our project sought to put together many experiences, including some from the past, as part of a ministerial initiative resulting in the establishment of a committee; furthermore, it sought to extend the discussion that for many years concerned primarily academic institutions to the sectors dealing with protection and archeological prevention. Though it has been designed for prevention and protection, it simultaneously serves as the basic instrument for understanding and enhancement of the cultural resources of the territory. In discussions about preventive archaeology and about the so-called ＂archaeological risk＂, it is very useful to create a databank of the known archaeological heritage. For this purpose, a computerized system for data management was used, composed of a GIS platform associated with an alphanumeric archive and designed soon to become a web GIS.
