Between Lama dei Peligni and Colledimacine: A regional geography (of boundaries) of the Majella Massif and Aventino Valley, Abruzzo, Ital

This thesis examines the oftentimes porous boundaries that define space. Specifically, it is based on the form, function, and meaning of the boundaries of the Aventino Valley, the Majella Massif, Lama dei Peligni, and Colledimacine in Abruzzo, Italy, and emerges from the broad intersection of cultural geography, photography, literature, folklore, spatial theory, and boundary theory. In constructing a regional geographic portrait of the study area by analyzing its prominent and hidden edges, the thesis demonstrates how boundaries, as definers of physical space, are also key indicators of cultural activity. A central claim is that the analysis of a vernacular landscape's multifaceted human and nonhuman boundaries at once reveals and helps to interpret many subtle, overlapping processes and meanings of that landscape's intertwined natural and social spaces. It provides guidance through a particular, very localized portion of space, yet also encourages the exploration of vernacular landscapes of many types.