Research Interests
My main research interests include Geoarchaeology, Coastal Geomorphology, and Glacial Geomorphology.
In the field of geoarchaeology, my work is grounded in a strongly integrated, multidisciplinary approach that combines remote sensing, geomorphological and geophysical investigations, historical cartography, topographic data, and stratigraphic and tephrostratigraphic analyses. Several studies have focused on specific archaeological sites, while others have examined broader archaeological landscapes such as the urban area of Pisa, the Apuo-Versilian coastal plain, and the Cheyan alluvial plain (Turkey). Urban settlements have also been investigated to develop predictive models for the distribution of archaeological heritage.
In the field of coastal geomorphology, my research addresses both palaeogeographic reconstruction and past sea-level changes in various coastal areas of the Mediterranean Basin (e.g., the Cilento coast, Uluzzo Bay, the Arno and Magra plains, and the Cheyan alluvial plain in Turkey), as well as in the Patagonian coastal plain (Argentina). A key aspect of this research is the identification and interpretation of new palaeo sea-level markers, such as abrasive notches, biological encrustations, and barnacle assemblages.
In the field of glacial geomorphology, I have focused on the recognition of palaeoglacial landforms in southern Europe, including the Apuan Alps (Italy) and the Galicica, Mavrovo, Pelister, and Jakupica massifs (North Macedonia). This work is part of the ICDP SCOPSCO international project, which aims to reconstruct the palaeoclimate of the Mediterranean and Balkan regions.
All these activities—across geoarchaeology, coastal and glacial geomorphology—contribute to improving palaeoenvironmental reconstructions and enhancing our understanding of human–environment interactions over time. Particular emphasis has been placed on the impacts of both natural and anthropogenic climate change during the Holocene, especially in relation to the 4.2 ka BP Event and the Roman Period.
In recent years, my research has increasingly focused on the evolution of floodplains, the development of early warning systems for riverine and coastal flooding, and the protection of water resources through the use of Artificial Intelligence. In all areas of my work, I integrate reconstructions of past environmental dynamics to identify current trends and outline possible future scenarios.
Recent or ongoing Responsibility of Research projects :
2023–2025 – Principal Investigator of the project “Mitigation of the Effects of Groundwater Extraction and Climate Change in Coastal Plains Using Data Science” (FENICE), funded by the Tuscany Region (POR FSE).
2021-2025- Responsible for the collaboration agreement between the Department of Earth Sciences (University of Pisa) and Consorzio di Bonifica Toscana Nord for the study of flood early warning systems.
2022–2025 – Responsible for the collaboration agreement between the Department of Earth Sciences (University of Pisa) and Consorzio di Bonifica Toscana Nord for the study of land management strategies in the context of climate change.
2021–2025 – Responsible for the collaboration agreement with the Northern Apennines River Basin Authority for research on coastal flood hazards in the context of climate change.
2022–2024 – Principal Investigator of the project “Flood Frequency Variations of the Arno River Over the Last 3,000 Years and Their Effects”, funded by the University of Pisa (PRA – Progetti di Ricerca di Ateneo).
2023–2025 – Responsible for the collaboration agreement between the Department of Earth Sciences (University of Pisa) and Consorzio di Bonifica Basso Valdarno for the study of land management strategies in the context of climate change.
2019–2023 – Responsible for the collaboration agreement between the Department of Earth Sciences and the Northern Apennines River Basin Authority for the PHUSICOS – According to Nature project, within the EU Horizon 2020 programme, focused on the Massaciuccoli Lake area.
2020–2022 – Co-investigator of the project “From Prehistory to the Anthropocene: New Technologies for the Valorization of the Cultural Heritage of Versilia” (PANTA_REI), funded by the Tuscany Region (POR FSE 2014–2020, Axis A).
2019–2021 – Principal Investigator of the project “Global Changes and Local Impacts: Knowledge and Awareness for a Sustainable Development of the Apuo-Versilian Plain”, funded by the Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Lucca.
Guest Editor of special Issues:
- 2020 “”Climate Change and Anthropogenic Impact on Coastal Environments” Water issue 1 , 2020 (Bini M. and Rossi V.)
- 2019 “The 4.2 ka cal BP event” Climate of the Past, Issue 15, 2019 (Rousseau, D.-D., Zanchetta, G., Weiss, H., Bini, M., Bradley, R.S.)
- 2018 “Urban Landscapes in the Mediterranean Basin and Beyond” Geoarchaeology Vol 33 (1) (Bini M., Fabiani F., Pappalardo M., Shuldenrein J.)
- 2012 “The transition from natural to anthropogenic-dominated environmental change in Italy and the surrounding regions since the Neolithic” Quaternary International, vol n. 303. (Zanchetta G., Bini M., Cremaschi M., Magny M., Sadori L.)