A study of the exploitation and management of mineral resources in the western Alpine reigon of Italy in the medieval period. Di Gangi reviews the evidence already available from 18th and 19th century geologists, studies toponyms from historical and modern maps, looks at recent historiography, documentary evidence and combines this with survey work studying settlements and their relationship to mineral resources. A useful reference work of collated material for mineral exploitation from the 10th to 15th century and a good starting point for further investigations.