This research aims to present a new interpretation of the land exploitation and management by the Italic population of Umbria and Sabina in central Apennines mountains. Starting from the results of a detailed topographic study of Roman land division of some intermontane basins through which we have identified the route of ancient transhumance trails, we propose a new gis-based approach to land exploitation during the pre-roman period. By comparing historical data andcomputer-aided analysis of territory and settlements (e.g. the typical italic hillforts, the so called "castellieri"), we increase the scientific data base and knowledge available to understand the historical significance and characteristics of transhumance in the ancient Italy and the great economic importance of sheep farming, a phenomenon always mentioned by archaeologist but never before studied in depth.
