AUTHOR=Stoddart Simon , Breslin Emily M. , Esposito Carmen , Gavériaux Fanny , Marras Gianbattista , McLaughlin Rowan , Motta Laura , Prato Ornella , Schmidt Frijda , Zeviani Camilla 

TITLE=The process of nucleation amongst the early cities of central Italy in the first millennium BC

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Human Dynamics

VOLUME=Volume 7 - 2025

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/human-dynamics/articles/10.3389/fhumd.2025.1569997

DOI=10.3389/fhumd.2025.1569997

ISSN=2673-2726

ABSTRACT=This article assesses the process of nucleation amongst the early cities of Tyrrhenian central Italy in the first millennium BC. The article examines the advantages, disadvantages and causes of nucleation. A multi-proxy and multi scalar perspective is implemented drawing on the available evidence for ancient DNA, isotopes, pedology/geoarchaeology, animal and plant remains, contextualized within the settlement archaeology. The article contains original data for settlement distribution, plant remains and stable isotopic analysis of plants.