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The birth of the settlement
From the 7th century, the customs and dwelling places which were typical of the Roman world changed profoundly. Most plains in this territory were sparsely populated, with small communities developing on mountains or hills – their residents living in groups of huts protected by wooden palisades. Many of these settlements were built on land belonging to counts, abbots, bishops and important aristocratic families, such as the Aldobrandeschi family from Lucca who, from the 9th century, began a process of expansion in this area, and eventually controlled a vast territory extending from Suvereto up to Mount Amiata, along with the territories of Siena and Lazio.