- Aix-Marseille Université, UMR 7299 Centre Camille Jullian - MMSH, Department MemberFreie Universität Berlin, Institute of Classical Archaeology, Post-Doc, and 2 moreadd
- Greek colonies in Magna Graecia, Ceramologia, topografia e archeologia del paesaggio, Archaeology of Magna Graecia and Sicily, Topografia Antica, Sicilian-Greek Interaction, Sicilia Antica, and 5 moreMagna Grecia, Magna Grecia in epoca romana, Sicilia Ellenistica, Ostia (Archaeology), and Early Medieval Archaeologyedit
- Yyedit
New Investigations at Solunto (2022) The last fieldwork campaign in Solunto by the University of Palermo, in the sanctuary above the theatre and in the baths near the agora (the North Baths), obtained some relevant results concerning both... more
New Investigations at Solunto (2022)
The last fieldwork campaign in Solunto by the University of Palermo, in the sanctuary above the theatre and in the baths near the agora (the North Baths), obtained some relevant results concerning both the building sequences and the architectural configurations. In the sanctuary, a clearer picture is emerging of the oldest layout, dating from the 4th century B.C. (1st phase). After the first reshaping of the street grid and of the urban layout (2nd phase), in the second half of 2nd century B.C., an overall restyling (3rd phase) gave the whole sanctuary area an impressive organization into terraces linked through ramps and stairways. A striking feature, till now unnoticed, is the stairway aligned with the front of the temple with two cellae and forecourt, which enhances the theatre on its central axis; the theatre itself has a rectilinear analemma wall on the corresponding rear (W) part. In the baths, an eastern extension of the building has been discovered and some new evidence for the function of the complex has been obtained. At the same time, the virtual reconstruction project is being carried out, integrating the results from the fieldwork into the overall framework, with the twofold objective: to test the new acquisitions, and to create a virtual tour of the ancient city, allowing a “Solunto experience”.
The last fieldwork campaign in Solunto by the University of Palermo, in the sanctuary above the theatre and in the baths near the agora (the North Baths), obtained some relevant results concerning both the building sequences and the architectural configurations. In the sanctuary, a clearer picture is emerging of the oldest layout, dating from the 4th century B.C. (1st phase). After the first reshaping of the street grid and of the urban layout (2nd phase), in the second half of 2nd century B.C., an overall restyling (3rd phase) gave the whole sanctuary area an impressive organization into terraces linked through ramps and stairways. A striking feature, till now unnoticed, is the stairway aligned with the front of the temple with two cellae and forecourt, which enhances the theatre on its central axis; the theatre itself has a rectilinear analemma wall on the corresponding rear (W) part. In the baths, an eastern extension of the building has been discovered and some new evidence for the function of the complex has been obtained. At the same time, the virtual reconstruction project is being carried out, integrating the results from the fieldwork into the overall framework, with the twofold objective: to test the new acquisitions, and to create a virtual tour of the ancient city, allowing a “Solunto experience”.
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Greek pottery production indicators in indigenous context. This paper focuses on the ceramics from an industrial zone of the late archaic period (late 6th-early 5th century BC) linked to the exploitation of massive clay deposits located... more
Greek pottery production indicators in indigenous context.
This paper focuses on the ceramics from an industrial zone of the late archaic period (late 6th-early 5th century BC) linked to the exploitation of massive clay deposits located on the Eastern part of the Golfo di Castellammare (North-Western Sicily). The study of the finds suggests that the area was frequented and/or managed by native populations who produced shapes in the Greek tradition (flat tiles, louteria and lekanides). These observed data allow us to reflect on the exploitation dynamics of the territory by native people, but also on the relationship between the latter and the colonial Greek culture. After an initial review of the known indigenous sites in the area of the Golfo di Castellammare and in the Piana di Partinico, the archaeological and topographic data of the area are presented, in order to proceed with a general assessment of the indigenous presence and the relationship with Greek culture.
This paper focuses on the ceramics from an industrial zone of the late archaic period (late 6th-early 5th century BC) linked to the exploitation of massive clay deposits located on the Eastern part of the Golfo di Castellammare (North-Western Sicily). The study of the finds suggests that the area was frequented and/or managed by native populations who produced shapes in the Greek tradition (flat tiles, louteria and lekanides). These observed data allow us to reflect on the exploitation dynamics of the territory by native people, but also on the relationship between the latter and the colonial Greek culture. After an initial review of the known indigenous sites in the area of the Golfo di Castellammare and in the Piana di Partinico, the archaeological and topographic data of the area are presented, in order to proceed with a general assessment of the indigenous presence and the relationship with Greek culture.
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In this paper, the author presents the functional analysis of a house of Himera. The house, located in the Block XII of the plateau of Himera, was excavated in the 1970s by the Istituto di Archeologia dell’Università degli Studi di... more
In this paper, the author presents the functional analysis of a house of Himera. The house, located in the Block XII of the plateau of Himera, was excavated in the 1970s by the Istituto di Archeologia dell’Università degli Studi di Palermo. Two houses were characterized by a certain richness of furnishings, consisting of abundant colonial and imported ceramic material, as well as bronze and marble furnishings. The research was concentrated in the Casa I Nord of the “Isolato XII”, from which all the materials were analyzed. Although in the eastern part of the house the archaeological contexts had been damaged by plough ing, a study of the finds allowed a functional reading of the building, in which there were a piece connected to the preparation and conservation of food, the courtyard and a compartment intended for the reception of guests. Precisely this last compartment provided a considerable amount of table vases, two marble and figured vases that hint at erotic and prenuptial themes. The context of this last room, as well as the architectural and planimetric characteristics of the house, prompted the author to read the building as an occasional location for collective activities. The carrying out of community rites within the oikos, today confirmed by numerous archaeological finds in different poleis, once again nudges the scientific debate towards the abandonment of the opposing categories of “sacred / profane”, “public / private”, “civic / individual”, to the advantage of a more nuanced interpretation of the archaeological context, firmly anchored to the archaeological data.
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This report describes the activities and results of two years of archaeological excavations carried out by the University of Palermo at the site of Halaesa, in northern Sicily. The excavations revealed the structure of the ancient city... more
This report describes the activities and results of two years of archaeological excavations carried out by the University of Palermo at the site of Halaesa, in northern Sicily. The excavations revealed the structure of the ancient city walls (maybe built in two different phases, during the Late Hellenistic/Early Roman period) and the presence of a tank close to the wall, connected to the defense sistem. Sicily, Halaesa, fortification walls, tank, Hellenistic and Roman time.
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The paper presents an overview of the ongoing researches in Solunto by the University of Palermo. In 2021 stratigraphical sondages were undertaken in two areas of the town: 1) in the great sanctuary above the theatre, in the frame of a... more
The paper presents an overview of the ongoing researches in Solunto by the University of Palermo. In 2021 stratigraphical sondages were undertaken in two areas of the town: 1) in the great sanctuary above the theatre, in the frame of a major project aimed at addressing several still unresolved issues. That area, as a matter of fact, has never been considered as a whole; the sacred buildings have not been studied, and their mutual relationships and the links with the adjacent terraces have never been properly examined; 2) in the North Baths near the agora, as a corollary of the systematic study of water management, some sondages were made by G. Polizzi. Finally, a virtual archaeology project is presented, intended to contribute to a more indepth knowledge and to a better understanding of the Stadbild of Solunto. The field research has provided some useful data in order to reconstruct the transformation through time of the monumental areas object of study.
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International audienceLe «terme» dell'agorà di Solunto. Un esempio di gestione delle acque pubbliche. Nel mese di agosto del 2017, si è realizzato lo studio dell'ediicio soluntino noto in bi-bliograaa come "grandi... more
International audienceLe «terme» dell'agorà di Solunto. Un esempio di gestione delle acque pubbliche. Nel mese di agosto del 2017, si è realizzato lo studio dell'ediicio soluntino noto in bi-bliograaa come "grandi terme". Esso è posto nell'area dell'agora e fu scavato da Ettore Gabrici nei primi anni ''20 del secolo scorso. Tale ricerca rientra nell'ambito del progetto di dottorato svolto da chi scrive, incentrato sullo studio della gestione delle acque nell'antico centro di origine fenicia. Si tratta di un complesso ampio circa 26 m e articolato in 5 ambienti disposti in succes-sione da Sud a Nord, decorati con un pavimento a mosaico. Lo studio dell'ediicio ha permesso di riconoscere tre fasi principali, relative, la prima alla seconda metà del II secolo a. C., la seconda, alla seconda metà//ne del I secolo a. C. Restauri in cocciopesto grossolano vanno collocati in una terza fase non ancora meglio deenita cronologica-mente. pubblica, n...
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Ce projet de thèse est centré sur l’étude des systèmes de gestion de l’eau à Solonte, et sur les motivations et choix opérés par les habitants en terme de structures hydrauliques. Cette question est traitée par le biais d’une approche... more
Ce projet de thèse est centré sur l’étude des systèmes de gestion de l’eau à Solonte, et sur les motivations et choix opérés par les habitants en terme de structures hydrauliques. Cette question est traitée par le biais d’une approche interdisciplinaire qui s’appuie à la fois sur les sciences humaines et sur les sciences de l’environnement ainsi que sur l’ingénierie hydraulique. L’objectif principal de cette recherche a été d’évaluer, sur la longue durée, l’évolution et l’origine culturelle des choix hydrauliques dans la ville et dans le territoire. Cette étude a aussi pour objectif la compréhension de l’exploitation des ressources hydrogéologiques locales. Au cours du temps, ces caractéristiques du territoire ont changé. Ces changements ont eu des conséquences sur les choix d’ingénierie, surtout au niveaux des bâtiments liées à l’eau. Des comparaisons avec d’autres exemples urbains de gestion des eaux des mêmes périodes ou présents dans la zone d’influence carthaginoise ont apporté...
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Colloque interdisciplinaire Watertraces Aix en Provence, 15 mai 2019 Dir. Giovanni Polizzi, Vincent Ollivier, Sophie Bouffier Télécharger le Programme Télecharger le Livret des abstracts Présentation de la journée Ce colloque... more
Colloque interdisciplinaire Watertraces Aix en Provence, 15 mai 2019 Dir. Giovanni Polizzi, Vincent Ollivier, Sophie Bouffier Télécharger le Programme Télecharger le Livret des abstracts Présentation de la journée Ce colloque interdisciplinaire est organisé dans le cadre du programme Watertraces, soutenu par la fondation Amidex d’Aix-Marseille Université. Il a pour objectif principal d’encourager un dialogue étroit entre les disciplines archéologiques et environnementales, en prése..
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International audienceThis contribution presents the traces on the ground and the archive documentation of a bombardment that took place in Solunto the night of 12 December 1942. The starting point of this research was a photograph... more
International audienceThis contribution presents the traces on the ground and the archive documentation of a bombardment that took place in Solunto the night of 12 December 1942. The starting point of this research was a photograph preserved in the archives of the Regional Archaeological Museum Antonio Salinas which documents the restoration of a Solunto cistern following the bombing of the Allies. The site, in fact, was hit by a bomb which caused damage to the large masonry cistern placed near the Casa delle Maschere, at the highest point of the site. Archive research has allowed us to reconstruct the dynamics of the facts and revealed the commitment of the Superintendents to the Antiquities of Western Sicily, Jole Bovio Marconi first, Vincenzo Tusa later, profuse after the war to restore the damaged assets. Solunto, along with other towns in western Sicily, was part of the strategic sites that had hosted Italo-German military garrisons. The danger of the bombing had led the then c...
Research Interests: Second World War, World War II, Sicily, Conservation and protection of monuments, Bombing, and 14 moreConservazione e restauro, MARSHALL PLAN, Sicilia Archeologica, Beni culturali in Sicilia, Aerial Bombing, Historical and Cultural Monuments, Archeology, Seconda Guerra Mondiale, Solunto, Bagheria, Restaurations, Restauri, Cassa per il Mezzogiorno, and piano marshall
International audienceThe thermal building (5, 6) This building is localized in the South of the Amone Farm. During the modern period it was incorporated in a modern building probably used as a storage room. The state of preservation... more
International audienceThe thermal building (5, 6) This building is localized in the South of the Amone Farm. During the modern period it was incorporated in a modern building probably used as a storage room. The state of preservation allows us to identify at least three rooms located by series. The first should be recognized as calidarium and tepidarium. The west room, ap-sidal and with a praefurnium, still retains the vertical tubules built on the walls and consistent traces of cocciopesto. From this room we can access to the contiguous one in the north east passing by a threshold with cocciopesto. The actual floor level matches with the ipocausto level. The third room is only visible with the external south east wall. We have here an "axial type" building, where the bather was performed a retro-grade routing, from the frigidarium to the calidarium and vice versa. This is the most frequent typology in the little provincial thermal buildings. In Sicily, the most ancient ex...
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The area of Contrada Amone, already known for the presence of a bath and for the discovery of polychrome mosaics, is now enriched with the reporting of a craft area. The discovery of some discarded tiles has been an opportunity to reflect... more
The area of Contrada Amone, already known for the presence of a bath and for the discovery of polychrome mosaics, is now enriched with the reporting of a craft area. The discovery of some discarded tiles has been an opportunity to reflect on the origin of the specimens branded ΟΝΑΣΟΥ, for which is traditionally accepted their exclusive production in the Bay of San Cataldo. A preliminary study of the mixtures of the ceramic productions of the sites of Contrada Amone and Baia di San Cataldo is therefore presented. In support of these analyses, the compositional characteristics of a bank of blue clay, recognised in the Bay of San Cataldo and probably used in local ceramic production from antiquity to the modern era, are given in the appendix. Introduzione Il settore nordorientale del Golfo di Castellammare, attraversato dal corso del Fiume Nocella (fig. 1), e caratterizzato dalla presenza di numerosi insediamenti di epoca romana imperiale che attestano un denso sfruttamento delle risor...
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L’area del Golfo di Castellammare (Sicilia occidentale) e nota per le numerose fornaci di eta romana. In questo articolo, si cerchera di ricostruire l’attivita di un’officina destinata principalmente alla produzione di laterizi con bollo... more
L’area del Golfo di Castellammare (Sicilia occidentale) e nota per le numerose fornaci di eta romana. In questo articolo, si cerchera di ricostruire l’attivita di un’officina destinata principalmente alla produzione di laterizi con bollo ΟΝΑΣΟΥ, databile fra III e I secolo a.C. Ricerche precedenti hanno permesso di riconoscere nel produttore di questi laterizi lo stesso Onasus Segestanus citato nelle Verrine di Cicerone e di localizzarne una possibile officina presso la Baia di San Cataldo. La scoperta di nuovi laterizi bollati e di scarti ceramici assume notevole importanza per una ricerca sugli ateliers ceramici del Golfo di Castellammare e della Piana di Partinico. Ne deriva un quadro aggiornato e ricco di prospettive di ricerca, relative all’espansione commerciale di Onasus nel corso del tempo e all’attivita produttiva di altre fornaci, i cui manufatti potevano essere esportati o utilizzati localmente.
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The paper presents the first issues of a new study about cisterns of Solunto, carthaginese city situated in Sicily, and water management of the town during the graeco-roman period. It shows the ways of collecting and managing water,... more
The paper presents the first issues of a new study about cisterns of Solunto, carthaginese city situated in Sicily, and water management of the town during the graeco-roman period. It shows the ways of collecting and managing water, particularly in what concerns raining water. XIXth et XXth century excavations have discovered many hydraulic structures, generally cisterns (70 for the moment with a capacity between 10 and 30 m3) and channels or architectonic elements which have never been studied. We begin with a general presentation and continue with some peculiar structures of the Solunto environment.
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Dans cette contribution, nous présentons les traces sur le terrain et dans les archives d’un bombardement survenu à Solonte dans la nuit du 12 décembre 1942. Le point de départ de cette recherche est une photographie conservée dans les... more
Dans cette contribution, nous présentons les traces sur le terrain et dans les archives d’un bombardement survenu à Solonte dans la nuit du 12 décembre 1942. Le point de départ de cette recherche est une photographie conservée dans les archives du Musée archéologique régional Antonio Salinas, documentant la restauration d’une citerne de Solonte suite aux bombardements alliés. Nos recherches dans les archives ont permis de reconstituer la chronologie des faits et de mettre en lumière le rôle des Surintendants des Antiquités de la Sicile occidentale, Jole Bovio Marconi puis Vincenzo Tusa, pendant et après la guerre pour protéger le patrimoine culturel. Solonte, comme d’autres sites siciliens, faisait partie des sites stratégiques ayant accueilli des garnisons militaires italo-allemandes. Les événements de la Seconde Guerre mondiale sont analysés ici du point de vue de la sensibilité au patrimoine culturel et de la perception de celui-ci pendant les conflits et les périodes de paix. No...
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In the last years there has been a renewed interest in Medieval Sicily. With this contribution, we would like to introduce the preliminary data of the survey undertaken in the Valle of Jato, situated in Palermo’s hinterland. The time... more
In the last years there has been a renewed interest in Medieval Sicily. With this contribution, we would like to introduce the preliminary data of the survey undertaken in the Valle of Jato, situated in Palermo’s hinterland. The time frame here taken into considerations extends from the 6th to the 13th centuries A.D. In this paper we would like to contribute to the reconstruction of the medieval history of this archaeological landscape, through the study of written sources, mainly the giarīda of Monreale, and of its material culture. The comparison of the pottery recovered in the valley with that of Palermo, object of a recent chrono-typological revision, has been very important for this study. Thanks to this we are able to recognise that some settlements already existed during the Islamic period, probably dating from around the 10th century A.D., in spite of the fact that our first written sources are dated from the end of the 11th century. Moreover, analysis of the ceramic fabrics recovered during the survey reveals that most of this pottery was produced in Palermo, reflecting the strong relationship of this territory to the Sicilian capital.
Nell’ agosto 2015 furono recapitate ai Carabinieri di Montelepre alcune scatole contenenti reperti archeologici, depositate da un anonimo davanti l’abitazione di un abitante del luogo (fig. 1). I Carabinieri contattarono prontamente la... more
Nell’ agosto 2015 furono recapitate ai Carabinieri di Montelepre alcune scatole contenenti reperti archeologici, depositate da un anonimo davanti l’abitazione di un abitante del luogo (fig. 1). I Carabinieri contattarono prontamente la Soprintendenza BB.CC.AA. di Palermo, cui i materiali sono stati assegnati dall’autorità giudiziaria. Si tratta di un notevole gruppo di reperti databili tra l’età arcaica e l’età ellenistica; il buono stato di conservazione sembra indiziare la loro pertinenza a corredi di tombe e in particolare una provenienza dalla località di Manico di Quarara, dov’era situata la necropoli del centro indigeno di Monte d’Oro, da decenni deturpata da scavi clandestini. I reperti consegnati, in prevalenza di medie e piccole dimensioni (coppe, skyphoi, lucerne, lekythoi, gutti, brocche), comprendono vasi di produzione attica a vernice nera e a figure rosse e probabilmente di produzione coloniale; ceramica comune e vasi di produzione indigena, tra cui spicca un’hydria co...
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The area of the Gulf of Castellamare (western Sicily) is well known for the several roman kilns. The aim of this paper is to reconstruct the productive activity of a workshop mainly manufacturing tiles with ΟΝΑΣΟΥ stamps, probably dating... more
The area of the Gulf of Castellamare (western Sicily) is well known for the several roman kilns. The aim of this paper is to reconstruct the productive activity of a workshop mainly manufacturing tiles with ΟΝΑΣΟΥ stamps, probably dating between the 3rd and the 1st century B.C. The previous researches permitted to recognize Onasus Segestanus, mentioned in Cicero’s Verrines, as the producer of these tiles and to localize a possible workshop in the Bay of St Cataldo. The discovery of new stamped tiles and ceramics wastes assume considerable importance for an investigation focused on the ceramic workshops in the Gulf of Castellamare and the Bay of St Cataldo. The result is an up-to-date picture rich in research perspectives, concerning the Onasus’s trade expansion during the time and the productive activity of other kilns, whose artefacts could be exported or locally employed.
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Il presente articolo costituisce il bilancio preliminare di una ricerca interdisciplinare attualmente in corso, relativa ai sistemi di gestione delle acque del sito di Solunto2 . È stato possibile procedere con lo studio sistematico delle... more
Il presente articolo costituisce il bilancio preliminare di una ricerca interdisciplinare attualmente in corso, relativa ai sistemi di gestione delle acque del sito di Solunto2
. È stato possibile procedere con lo studio sistematico delle strutture idrauliche di epoca ellenistico-romana (IV sec. a.C.-II sec. d.C.) e alla determinazione delle caratteristiche idro-geologiche del Monte Catalfano, sul quale insiste l’abitato.
Le analogie strutturali del sottosuolo di Monte Catalfano con quello di alcuni siti della Grecia Centrale, nonché le coeve fasi di occupazione, hanno spinto gli autori a esporre in questa sede le evidenze di alcuni siti della Beozia, dove sono state riconosciute alcune analogie nelle scelte di sfruttamento delle risorse idriche che hanno comportato la realizzazione di strutture idrauliche (cisterne, fontane o ninfei) in corrispondenza di specifiche emergenze geologiche, quali fratture naturali della roccia o faglie, dalle quali sgorgavano in passato, e talvolta ancora oggi, acque sorgive di tipo minerale.
. È stato possibile procedere con lo studio sistematico delle strutture idrauliche di epoca ellenistico-romana (IV sec. a.C.-II sec. d.C.) e alla determinazione delle caratteristiche idro-geologiche del Monte Catalfano, sul quale insiste l’abitato.
Le analogie strutturali del sottosuolo di Monte Catalfano con quello di alcuni siti della Grecia Centrale, nonché le coeve fasi di occupazione, hanno spinto gli autori a esporre in questa sede le evidenze di alcuni siti della Beozia, dove sono state riconosciute alcune analogie nelle scelte di sfruttamento delle risorse idriche che hanno comportato la realizzazione di strutture idrauliche (cisterne, fontane o ninfei) in corrispondenza di specifiche emergenze geologiche, quali fratture naturali della roccia o faglie, dalle quali sgorgavano in passato, e talvolta ancora oggi, acque sorgive di tipo minerale.
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Dans cette contribution, nous présentons les traces sur le terrain et dans les archives d’un bombardement survenu à Solonte dans la nuit du 12 décembre 1942. Le point de départ de cette recherche est une photographie conservée dans les... more
Dans cette contribution, nous présentons les traces sur le terrain et dans les archives d’un bombardement survenu à Solonte dans la nuit du 12 décembre 1942. Le point de départ de cette recherche est une photographie conservée dans les archives du Musée archéologique régional Antonio Salinas, documentant la restauration d’une citerne de Solonte suite aux bombardements alliés. Nos recherches dans les archives ont permis de reconstituer la chronologie des faits et de mettre en lumière le rôle des Surintendants des Antiquités de la Sicile occidentale, Jole Bovio Marconi puis Vincenzo Tusa, pendant et après la guerre pour protéger le patrimoine culturel. Solonte, comme d’autres sites siciliens, faisait partie des sites stratégiques ayant accueilli des garnisons militaires italo-allemandes. Les événements de la Seconde Guerre mondiale sont analysés ici du point de vue de la sensibilité au patrimoine culturel et de la perception de celui-ci pendant les conflits et les périodes de paix. Nous explorons les tentatives de protection, les phases de restauration et de consolidation qui ont eu lieu depuis la guerre, jusqu’aux longues fouilles archéologiques dirigées par Vincenzo Tusa, dont on peut aujourd’hui voir le résultat en évoluant dans le parc archéologique de Solonte.
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The results obtained through the study of water management at Solunto are presented in this paper, where we try to explain in detail the way in which the water was managed in the town. The problem of finding water had to be a major... more
The results obtained through the study of water management at Solunto are presented in this paper, where we try to explain in detail the way in which the water was managed in the town. The problem of finding water had to be a major concern for the city, especially in the summer months. Initially considered to be the exclusive outcome of rainwater harvesting through tank systems, the site’s water supply would seem in reality to be much richer and more complex. It derives, in addition to rainwater, from the exploitation of the tectonic fractures of the site, characterized by hydrothermal rising phenomena that supplied thermo-mineral waters in most of the hydraulic infrastructures identified at Solunto. These new results highlight one of the parameters that have influenced the choice of Monte Catalfano as a site of the new Hellenistic-Roman Solunto. After an initial presentation of the data collected between 2015 and 2017, the city’s sanitary infrastructures will be exhibited. The overview presented here proves that the inhabitants of Solunto, enjoying favourable hydrogeological conditions, wanted to conform to the popular uses in the Hellenistic and then Roman times, also through the construction of two buildings linked to hygiene practices. The presence of these two complexes in an area that is today poor in water shows that, in the past, the opportunities linked to water consumption were greater than today.
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This paper examines the hydraulic evidences found in Mozia, Solunto and Palermo from the Archaic-Classical period. According to Thucydides (VI,2), the establishment of these cities is ascribed to the Phoenicians. The study of the... more
This paper examines the hydraulic evidences found in Mozia, Solunto and Palermo from the Archaic-Classical period. According to Thucydides (VI,2), the establishment of these cities is ascribed to the Phoenicians. The study of the Phoenician-Punic water systems in Sicily is hard to investigate, as it is hard to investigate evidences related to the time period considered in this study. There are very few works relevant to water resources. Mentions of hydraulic structures is made in occasional monographic works and articles about various Phoenician-Punic cities and Hellenistic period, but the overall result is very fragmented. It is
focused on specific approaches to individual contexts, rather than giving a systematic view.
Our study will try to clarify the hydraulic strategies and sites of the Phoenician-Punic culture in Sicily, using analysis of published data based on the hydraulic evidences found in Mozia, Solunto and Palermo, and their common ground with Semitic, Greek and Etruscan cultures.
The final part is focused on the “Area K” clay arula field in Mozia, showing the myth of Heracles and the Lernean Hydra. This particular iconographic choice might be based on the hydrogeological characteristics of the site, probably reflecting the aquatic monster. The commemoration of this typically Greek myth within a Phoenician environment proves interconnection of ideas, experiences and rituals that must have contributed to the evolution of Mediterranean cultures.
focused on specific approaches to individual contexts, rather than giving a systematic view.
Our study will try to clarify the hydraulic strategies and sites of the Phoenician-Punic culture in Sicily, using analysis of published data based on the hydraulic evidences found in Mozia, Solunto and Palermo, and their common ground with Semitic, Greek and Etruscan cultures.
The final part is focused on the “Area K” clay arula field in Mozia, showing the myth of Heracles and the Lernean Hydra. This particular iconographic choice might be based on the hydrogeological characteristics of the site, probably reflecting the aquatic monster. The commemoration of this typically Greek myth within a Phoenician environment proves interconnection of ideas, experiences and rituals that must have contributed to the evolution of Mediterranean cultures.
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The area of Contrada Amone, already known for the presence of a bath and for the discovery of polychrome mosaics, is now enriched with the reporting of a craft area. The discovery of some discarded tiles has been an opportunity to reflect... more
The area of Contrada Amone, already known for the presence of a bath and for the discovery of polychrome mosaics, is now enriched with the reporting of a craft area. The discovery of some discarded tiles has been an opportunity to reflect on the origin of the specimens branded ΟΝΑΣΟΥ, for which is traditionally accepted their exclusive production in the Bay of San Cataldo. A preliminary study of the mixtures of the ceramic productions of the sites of Contrada Amone and Baia di San Cataldo is therefore presented. In support of these analyses, the compositional characteristics of a bank of blue clay, recognised in the Bay of San Cataldo and probably used in local ceramic production from antiquity to the modern era, are given in the appendix.
Research Interests: Archaeology, Roman Baths (Archaeology), Ancient Mosaics, Archeologia, Graeco-Roman Mosaics and Wall Paintings, and 15 moreRoman Sicily, Ancient Sicily, Sicily, Archeologia Siciliana, Archaeology of Magna Graecia and Sicily, Roman baths, Roman Mosaics, Sicilia, Sicilia Antica, Hystory and archaeology of Magna Grecia and Sicily, Roman brick and tiles, Roman Mosaics and Wall Paintings, Mosaics, Terme Romane, and Tegole Bollate
L’antica città di Solunto, a breve distanza dal capoluogo palermitano, è secondo le fonti storiche antiche (Tucidide VI, 2, 6), insieme con Mozia e Palermo, una fondazione fenicia. Se gli scavi condotti negli anni ’90 hanno acclarato una... more
L’antica città di Solunto, a breve distanza dal capoluogo palermitano, è secondo le fonti storiche antiche (Tucidide VI, 2, 6), insieme con Mozia e Palermo, una fondazione fenicia. Se gli scavi condotti negli anni ’90 hanno acclarato una tale origine, nondimeno le monumentali evidenze archeologiche che si conservano sul Monte Catalfano raccontano una storia diversa. Alla luce della revisione degli studi condotti nell’ultimo decennio e delle indagini in corso da parte di chi scrive, il contributo che qui si presenta mira a mettere in luce i nuovi dati acquisiti sull’urbanistica soluntina e, in particolare, sulla gestione idrica in ambito privato e, soprattutto, pubblico.
Dopo un inquadramento topografico del sito, fondamentale per comprendere la portata dell’impianto di cui si discuterà, si prenderanno le mosse dagli elementi fondamentali per la conservazione dell’acqua: le cisterne; presenti nella maggior parte degli edifici (privati e pubblici) finora indagati, nel corso delle ricerche sul campo è stato possibile rilevare come alle suddette strutture fosse connessa una sofisticata rete di raccolta e smaltimento idrico. Si procederà dunque ad un primo inquadramento generale di tale rete idrica (impianto, cronologia, confronti), esponendo i dati relativi ad alcune zone-chiave del sito, riconosciute come aree a destinazione pubblica:
1. l’area della “Casa delle maschere”, dove è stato messo in luce un grande invaso fuori terra quadripartito, probabilmente appartenente ad un edificio pubblico la cui funzione e cronologia risultano ancora incerte;
2. l’area dell’agora, in cui particolare attenzione rivestono il complesso della cisterna sotto il teatro, che trova confronti stringenti su scala regionale (Tindari) e mediterranea (Delos), e quello del Ginnasio, in cui un sistema di canalizzazioni convogliava le acque all’interno di una grande cisterna.
3. l’area delle cd. “Piccole Terme”, posta presso l’angolo sud-orientale della polis, di cui si sono recentemente ridiscussi apprestamenti, fasi e cronologia.
Dopo un inquadramento topografico del sito, fondamentale per comprendere la portata dell’impianto di cui si discuterà, si prenderanno le mosse dagli elementi fondamentali per la conservazione dell’acqua: le cisterne; presenti nella maggior parte degli edifici (privati e pubblici) finora indagati, nel corso delle ricerche sul campo è stato possibile rilevare come alle suddette strutture fosse connessa una sofisticata rete di raccolta e smaltimento idrico. Si procederà dunque ad un primo inquadramento generale di tale rete idrica (impianto, cronologia, confronti), esponendo i dati relativi ad alcune zone-chiave del sito, riconosciute come aree a destinazione pubblica:
1. l’area della “Casa delle maschere”, dove è stato messo in luce un grande invaso fuori terra quadripartito, probabilmente appartenente ad un edificio pubblico la cui funzione e cronologia risultano ancora incerte;
2. l’area dell’agora, in cui particolare attenzione rivestono il complesso della cisterna sotto il teatro, che trova confronti stringenti su scala regionale (Tindari) e mediterranea (Delos), e quello del Ginnasio, in cui un sistema di canalizzazioni convogliava le acque all’interno di una grande cisterna.
3. l’area delle cd. “Piccole Terme”, posta presso l’angolo sud-orientale della polis, di cui si sono recentemente ridiscussi apprestamenti, fasi e cronologia.
Research Interests:
The paper presents the first issues of a new study about cisterns of Solunto, carthaginese city situated in Sicily, and water management of the town during the graeco-roman period. It shows the ways of collecting and managing water,... more
The paper presents the first issues of a new study about cisterns of Solunto, carthaginese city situated in Sicily, and water management of the town during the graeco-roman period. It shows the ways of collecting and managing water, particularly in what concerns raining water. XIXth et XXth century excavations have discovered many hydraulic structures, generally cisterns (70 for the moment with a capacity between 10 and 30 m3) and channels or architectonic elements which have never been studied. We begin with a general presentation and continue with some peculiar structures of the Solunto environment.
Research Interests:
The balaneion of Solunto’s agora · Ettore Gabrici, who first excavated the structure located in the northwest corner of Solunto’s agora in 1920-21, identified the remains as part of a ther - mal bath, despite missing some of the key... more
The balaneion of Solunto’s agora · Ettore Gabrici, who
first excavated the structure located in the northwest corner of
Solunto’s agora in 1920-21, identified the remains as part of a ther -
mal bath, despite missing some of the key elements which usually
characterize this type of buildings (hypocaust, praefurnium, heating
pipes). After the re-examination of the architectural elements, this
paper suggests a different interpretation which takes into account
archaeological evidences from the broader Mediterranean context
(especially from Sicily and the Punic world). The results here
presented could actively contribute to a better understanding of
the hydraulic engineering in Sicily during the Hellenistic Period.
As a matter of fact, the structure probably dates back to the 3rd-
2nd century bc and differs from the other Sicilian Hellenistic ther -
mal baths for the lack of the water heating system, the laconicum
and the bath-tubes. Despite these anomalies, the inner space organ-
isation, the decorative program and the water supply/drainage sys-
tem are clear indications of its function as balaneion. All together,
these features form a new architectonical program which is the
product of the well-known cultural syncretism, characterising the
frontier city-settlements between the Greeks and the Punic terri-
tories. Hence, the balaneion must be read in connection with the
gymnasium and the paideia as integral part of the educative pro-
gram of the Greek ephébeia, already practiced in Solunto during the
1st century ad, as demonstrated by an inscription from the agora.
first excavated the structure located in the northwest corner of
Solunto’s agora in 1920-21, identified the remains as part of a ther -
mal bath, despite missing some of the key elements which usually
characterize this type of buildings (hypocaust, praefurnium, heating
pipes). After the re-examination of the architectural elements, this
paper suggests a different interpretation which takes into account
archaeological evidences from the broader Mediterranean context
(especially from Sicily and the Punic world). The results here
presented could actively contribute to a better understanding of
the hydraulic engineering in Sicily during the Hellenistic Period.
As a matter of fact, the structure probably dates back to the 3rd-
2nd century bc and differs from the other Sicilian Hellenistic ther -
mal baths for the lack of the water heating system, the laconicum
and the bath-tubes. Despite these anomalies, the inner space organ-
isation, the decorative program and the water supply/drainage sys-
tem are clear indications of its function as balaneion. All together,
these features form a new architectonical program which is the
product of the well-known cultural syncretism, characterising the
frontier city-settlements between the Greeks and the Punic terri-
tories. Hence, the balaneion must be read in connection with the
gymnasium and the paideia as integral part of the educative pro-
gram of the Greek ephébeia, already practiced in Solunto during the
1st century ad, as demonstrated by an inscription from the agora.
Research Interests:
The findings from the archaeological campaigns at the siege castle “Castellazzo di Jato” have called for a necessary re-evaluation of the material evidence coming from field surveys and digging of others surrounding strongholds, where the... more
The findings from the archaeological campaigns at the siege castle “Castellazzo di Jato” have called for a necessary re-evaluation of the material evidence coming from field surveys and digging of others surrounding strongholds, where the Muslim population found protection during the Norman and Staufen rebellions. This re-evaluation has shown two main building phases of these strongholds (often simply towers rather than castles), which are linked to the beginning of the Norman expansion in Sicily and to the period of Frederick II. Monte Palmeto, Monte della Fiera, Pizzo Mirabella, Castellazzo di Jato, Monte Pagnocco and La Vecchia di Corleone are some examples of strongholds considerate here, that together with those known via written sources (Jato, Entella, Celso, and Gallo), clearly define the setting of rural and mountain landscape of this Sicilian area. Regarding the ceramic evidence recorded, besides the tight linkage with production from Palermo, artefacts of Messina (such as glazed pots) and Campania (spiral ware bowls) production are emerging. Moreover, the data collected during the field surveys show the existence of settlements that belong to periods before the Norman phase, sometimes dated to the Late Bronze Age.
A seguito delle campagne di scavo della fortezza ossidionale del “Castellazzo” di Jato, si è resa necessaria una revisione dei materiali archeologici provenienti da scavo e ricognizione in tutti quei siti fortificati che hanno accolto la popolazione musulmana durante le rivolte tra età normanna e sveva. Si è così posta l’attenzione su almeno due fasi nella realizzazione di tali fortilizi, spesso semplici torri piuttosto che castelli veri e propri, corrispondenti all’inizio della dominazione normanna ed al periodo federiciano. Monte Palmeto, Monte della Fiera, Pizzo Mirabella, Castellazzo di Jato, Monte Pagnocco, La Vecchia di Corleone, sono alcuni di questi fortilizi che, insieme a quelli noti dalle fonti, Jato, Entella, Celso, Gallo, definiscono in modo chiaro l’articolazione del paesaggio rurale e soprattutto montano in questa porzione della Sicilia. Le ceramiche rinvenute mostrano un diretto rapporto con le produzioni palermitane oltre a prodotti provenienti dall’area messinese, come le pentole invetriate, o dalla Campania come le coppe decorate a spirale. I dati delle ricognizioni, mostrano inoltre la presenza di forme di insediamento precedenti all’età normanna ed a volte risalenti alla Tarda Età del Bronzo.
A seguito delle campagne di scavo della fortezza ossidionale del “Castellazzo” di Jato, si è resa necessaria una revisione dei materiali archeologici provenienti da scavo e ricognizione in tutti quei siti fortificati che hanno accolto la popolazione musulmana durante le rivolte tra età normanna e sveva. Si è così posta l’attenzione su almeno due fasi nella realizzazione di tali fortilizi, spesso semplici torri piuttosto che castelli veri e propri, corrispondenti all’inizio della dominazione normanna ed al periodo federiciano. Monte Palmeto, Monte della Fiera, Pizzo Mirabella, Castellazzo di Jato, Monte Pagnocco, La Vecchia di Corleone, sono alcuni di questi fortilizi che, insieme a quelli noti dalle fonti, Jato, Entella, Celso, Gallo, definiscono in modo chiaro l’articolazione del paesaggio rurale e soprattutto montano in questa porzione della Sicilia. Le ceramiche rinvenute mostrano un diretto rapporto con le produzioni palermitane oltre a prodotti provenienti dall’area messinese, come le pentole invetriate, o dalla Campania come le coppe decorate a spirale. I dati delle ricognizioni, mostrano inoltre la presenza di forme di insediamento precedenti all’età normanna ed a volte risalenti alla Tarda Età del Bronzo.
Research Interests:
L’oggetto del poster riguarda un complesso del settore pubblico della città di Solunto, centro di antica fondazione fenicia localizzata sul Monte Catalfano, a breve distanza dal capoluogo siciliano. Del complesso si sono riconosciuti gli... more
L’oggetto del poster riguarda un complesso del settore pubblico della città di Solunto, centro di antica fondazione fenicia localizzata sul Monte Catalfano, a breve distanza dal capoluogo siciliano. Del complesso si sono riconosciuti gli elementi principali, tra i quali le modalità di raccolta dell’acqua (all’interno della grande cisterna dell'agora), il suo impiego e smaltimento all’esterno dell’area urbana attraverso un grande gocciolatoio in pietra calcarea. Malgrado l’importanza dell'edificio, le ricerche precedenti si sono concentrate su altri settori dell’abitato. Lo stesso scavatore, Ettore Gabrici, non ha fornito, a suo tempo, alcuna documentazione. L’interesse di questo settore è dovuto, inoltre, alle particolari caratteristiche climatico-ambientali del comprensorio: ad oggi, il sito non consente la raccolta di grandi quantità d’acqua che possano permettere un corretto funzionamento di impianti termali.
Gli abitanti di Solunto, tuttavia, godendo di condizioni idrogeologiche favorevoli, oggi non più esistenti, vollero uniformarsi agli usi in voga in epoca romana, nel nostro caso relativi all’igiene, attraverso la realizzazione di due impianti termali collocati in altrettante zone strategiche dell’abitato: il più grande edificio è posto in corrispondenza dell’agora; un impianto più piccolo fu realizzato in corrispondenza dell’ingresso sud orientale della città. La presenza di questi due edifici in un’area apparentemente priva d’acqua potrebbe spiegarsi con le caratteristiche idrogeologiche del substrato roccioso, caratterizzato, secondo le ricerche in corso, svolte in collaborazione con Vincent Ollivier, geo-archeologo del CNRS, da un’intensa fratturazione che favorisce la risalita d’acqua per effetto della pressione idrotermale. Quest’ultima è documentata da laminazioni calcaree, alcune delle quali in corso di studio attraverso analisi chimiche.
Giovanni Polizzi
Doctorant contractuel en archéologie antique - Centre Camille Jullian (UMR 7299)
Gli abitanti di Solunto, tuttavia, godendo di condizioni idrogeologiche favorevoli, oggi non più esistenti, vollero uniformarsi agli usi in voga in epoca romana, nel nostro caso relativi all’igiene, attraverso la realizzazione di due impianti termali collocati in altrettante zone strategiche dell’abitato: il più grande edificio è posto in corrispondenza dell’agora; un impianto più piccolo fu realizzato in corrispondenza dell’ingresso sud orientale della città. La presenza di questi due edifici in un’area apparentemente priva d’acqua potrebbe spiegarsi con le caratteristiche idrogeologiche del substrato roccioso, caratterizzato, secondo le ricerche in corso, svolte in collaborazione con Vincent Ollivier, geo-archeologo del CNRS, da un’intensa fratturazione che favorisce la risalita d’acqua per effetto della pressione idrotermale. Quest’ultima è documentata da laminazioni calcaree, alcune delle quali in corso di studio attraverso analisi chimiche.
Giovanni Polizzi
Doctorant contractuel en archéologie antique - Centre Camille Jullian (UMR 7299)
Research Interests:
Libro degli abstract del convegno di studi "L'acqua e la città in età romana - Water and the Roman cities and settlements" - Feltre (BL - Italia), 3/4 Novembre 2017.
Research Interests:
This contribution presents a group of archaeological finds dating between the Archaic period and the Hellenistic period, which, by tipology and group class of materials, might come from Monte d'Oro of Montelepre, site of an important... more
This contribution presents a group of archaeological finds dating between the Archaic period and the Hellenistic period, which, by tipology and group class of materials, might come from Monte d'Oro of Montelepre, site of an important indigenous settlement, probably the Sican town of Hykkara. The materials were delivered anonymously to the Carabinieri and assigned by the Court of Palermo to the Soprintendenza of Palermo, which, in agreement with the municipality of Montelepre, has exposed a selection at the Civic Museum, located inside the Tower of Ventimiglia. Among the most significant finds there is the bottom of a black-painted late archaic cup engraved with a primer in Greek characters.
Résumé : Dans le cadre du programme HYDRΩMED (A*MIDEX Aix Marseille Université), de nouvelles recherches concernant la gestion de l’eau en Méditerranée au cours du premier millénaire avant J.C. ont été développées. Nous présentons ici... more
Résumé :
Dans le cadre du programme HYDRΩMED (A*MIDEX Aix Marseille Université), de nouvelles recherches concernant la gestion de l’eau en Méditerranée au cours du premier millénaire avant J.C. ont été développées. Nous présentons ici nos premiers résultats obtenus dans le cadre d’une approche pluridisciplinaire sur la cité de Solonte (nord-ouest de la Sicile) mêlant archéologie, hydrogéologie et géoarchéologie. Auparavant considérée comme exclusivement issue de la collecte des eaux de pluies par l’intermédiaire de systèmes de citernes, l’alimentation en eau du site apparaît en fait beaucoup plus riche et complexe. Cette dernière proviendrait plutôt de l’exploitation de systèmes de fractures tectoniques guidant des remontées hydrothermales, et fournissant des eaux thermominérales additionnelles et pérennes dans une grande partie des infrastructures hydrauliques identifiées à Solonte (notamment des thermes). Ces nouveaux résultats mettent en évidence un des paramètres fondamentaux ayant pu influencer le choix du Monte Catalfano comme site privilégié d’implantation de la cité durant l’antiquité. Une analyse descriptive de la grande citerne maçonnée fournit également des informations améliorant les connaissances sur la gestion de l’eau dans la cité antique de Solonte.
Abstract :
New research about water management in the Mediterranean during the first millennia BC are developed in the frame of the HYDRΩMED (A*MIDEX Aix Marseille University) program. We present here our first results obtained within the framework of a multidisciplinary approach on the city of Solonte (northwest of Sicily) combining archeology, hydrogeology and geoarchaeology. Previously considered exclusively from the collection of rainwater through cistern systems, the water supply to the site actually appears much richer and more complex. The latter would come rather from the exploitation of tectonic faulting guiding hydrothermal flow providing additional and perennial thermomineral waters in a large part of the hydraulic infrastructures identified at Solonte (including thermal baths). These new results highlight one of the fundamental parameters that may have influenced the choice of Monte Catalfano as a privileged site for the settlement of the city during antiquity. A descriptive analysis of the large built cistern also provides information to improve the knowledge of water management in the ancient city of Solonte.
Abstract :
Nell’ambito del programma HYDRΩMED (A*MIDEX Aix Marseille Université), si sono condotte nuove ricerche sulla gestione idrica nel Mediterraneo durante il primo millennio a. C. Si presentano in questo contributo i primi risultati ottenuti nel quadro di un approccio pluridisciplinare alla città di Solunto (nord ovest della Sicilia), il quale unisce archeologia, idrogeologia e geoarcheologia. Inizialmente considerata come esclusivo esito della raccolta dell’acqua piovana attraverso i sistemi delle cisterne, l’alimentazione idrica del sito sembrerebbe in realtà molto più ricca e complessa. Quest’ultima deriverebbe, piuttosto, dallo sfruttamento delle fratture tettoniche del sito, caratterizzate da fenomeni idrotermali che fornivano acque termominerali in gran parte delle infrastrutture idrauliche identificate a Solunto (in particolare le terme). Questi nuovi risultati mettono in evidenza uno dei parametri fondamentali che hanno potuto influenzare la scelta di Monte Catalfano come sito privilegiato per l’impianto della città nell’antichità. Un’analisi descrittiva della grande cisterna in muratura, inoltre, fornisce informazioni che contribuiscono alla conoscenza della gestione idrica nell’antica città di Solunto.
Dans le cadre du programme HYDRΩMED (A*MIDEX Aix Marseille Université), de nouvelles recherches concernant la gestion de l’eau en Méditerranée au cours du premier millénaire avant J.C. ont été développées. Nous présentons ici nos premiers résultats obtenus dans le cadre d’une approche pluridisciplinaire sur la cité de Solonte (nord-ouest de la Sicile) mêlant archéologie, hydrogéologie et géoarchéologie. Auparavant considérée comme exclusivement issue de la collecte des eaux de pluies par l’intermédiaire de systèmes de citernes, l’alimentation en eau du site apparaît en fait beaucoup plus riche et complexe. Cette dernière proviendrait plutôt de l’exploitation de systèmes de fractures tectoniques guidant des remontées hydrothermales, et fournissant des eaux thermominérales additionnelles et pérennes dans une grande partie des infrastructures hydrauliques identifiées à Solonte (notamment des thermes). Ces nouveaux résultats mettent en évidence un des paramètres fondamentaux ayant pu influencer le choix du Monte Catalfano comme site privilégié d’implantation de la cité durant l’antiquité. Une analyse descriptive de la grande citerne maçonnée fournit également des informations améliorant les connaissances sur la gestion de l’eau dans la cité antique de Solonte.
Abstract :
New research about water management in the Mediterranean during the first millennia BC are developed in the frame of the HYDRΩMED (A*MIDEX Aix Marseille University) program. We present here our first results obtained within the framework of a multidisciplinary approach on the city of Solonte (northwest of Sicily) combining archeology, hydrogeology and geoarchaeology. Previously considered exclusively from the collection of rainwater through cistern systems, the water supply to the site actually appears much richer and more complex. The latter would come rather from the exploitation of tectonic faulting guiding hydrothermal flow providing additional and perennial thermomineral waters in a large part of the hydraulic infrastructures identified at Solonte (including thermal baths). These new results highlight one of the fundamental parameters that may have influenced the choice of Monte Catalfano as a privileged site for the settlement of the city during antiquity. A descriptive analysis of the large built cistern also provides information to improve the knowledge of water management in the ancient city of Solonte.
Abstract :
Nell’ambito del programma HYDRΩMED (A*MIDEX Aix Marseille Université), si sono condotte nuove ricerche sulla gestione idrica nel Mediterraneo durante il primo millennio a. C. Si presentano in questo contributo i primi risultati ottenuti nel quadro di un approccio pluridisciplinare alla città di Solunto (nord ovest della Sicilia), il quale unisce archeologia, idrogeologia e geoarcheologia. Inizialmente considerata come esclusivo esito della raccolta dell’acqua piovana attraverso i sistemi delle cisterne, l’alimentazione idrica del sito sembrerebbe in realtà molto più ricca e complessa. Quest’ultima deriverebbe, piuttosto, dallo sfruttamento delle fratture tettoniche del sito, caratterizzate da fenomeni idrotermali che fornivano acque termominerali in gran parte delle infrastrutture idrauliche identificate a Solunto (in particolare le terme). Questi nuovi risultati mettono in evidenza uno dei parametri fondamentali che hanno potuto influenzare la scelta di Monte Catalfano come sito privilegiato per l’impianto della città nell’antichità. Un’analisi descrittiva della grande cisterna in muratura, inoltre, fornisce informazioni che contribuiscono alla conoscenza della gestione idrica nell’antica città di Solunto.
Research Interests:
This contribution presents a group of archaeological finds dating between the Archaic period and the Hellenistic period, which, by tipology and group class of materials, might come from Monte d'Oro of Montelepre, site of an important... more
This contribution presents a group of archaeological finds dating between the Archaic period and the Hellenistic period, which, by tipology and group class of materials, might come from Monte d'Oro of Montelepre, site of an important indigenous settlement, probably the Sican town of Hykkara. The materials were delivered anonymously to the Carabinieri and assigned by the Court of Palermo to the Soprintendenza of Palermo, which, in agreement with the municipality of Montelepre, has exposed a selection at the Civic Museum, located inside the Tower of Ventimiglia. Among the most significant finds there is the bottom of a black-painted late archaic cup engraved with a primer in Greek characters.
Research Interests: Archaeology, Classical Archaeology, Pottery (Archaeology), Epigraphy (Archaeology), Greek Epigraphy, and 44 moreSicily (History), Ancient Topography (Archaeology), Ancient Graffiti (Archaeology), Archeologia, Greek Pottery, Greek Sicily, Pottery, Ancient Greek Epigraphy, Hellenistic Pottery, Greek and Roman Epigraphy, Ancient Topography, Ancient Sicily, Sicilian-Greek Interaction, Sicily, Archeologia Siciliana, Topography, Epigraphy, Storia Della Sicilia, Archéologie, Ceramica Ellenistica, Ceramologia, topografia e archeologia del paesaggio, Epigrafia Griega, Ancient Graffiti, Attic pottery, Archeologia Classica, Epigrafia, Sicilia, Ancient Lamps, Topografia Antica, Ceramica a Vernice Nera, Epigrafía, Ceramica Attica, Sicilian History and Culture, Sicilia Antica, Ceramica, Attic black-glazed pottery, Topografia, Topografia Italia Antica, Archeologia e Calcolatori, Paolo Sommella, Archeologia classica Topografia Urbanistica Magna Grecia Sicilia antica, Epigrafia Greca, LAMPS, Lucerne, TOPOGRAFIA GERAL, and TOPOGRAFÍA
During 2012-2013 has been carried out an intensive and systematic survey in a specific area of Carini’s territory (Pa). The explored area covers 3 km² and goes from the Nocella River in the south up to the hills of Cozzo Palombaro e Balzo... more
During 2012-2013 has been carried out an intensive and systematic survey in a specific area of Carini’s territory (Pa).
The explored area covers 3 km² and goes from the Nocella River in the south up to the hills of Cozzo Palombaro e Balzo Rosso in the north.
Here, it was possible to recognise a number of sites attended from the prehistory until the byzantine period. Among these, the rural settlement in the Amone district, raised particular attention. Here, in the modern period, was implanted a farm.
The explored area covers 3 km² and goes from the Nocella River in the south up to the hills of Cozzo Palombaro e Balzo Rosso in the north.
Here, it was possible to recognise a number of sites attended from the prehistory until the byzantine period. Among these, the rural settlement in the Amone district, raised particular attention. Here, in the modern period, was implanted a farm.
Research Interests:
During the intensive survey carried out by the author in the territory of Carini, within the framework of a thesis in Beni Culturali Archeologici coordinated by prof. Aurelio Burgio, it has been recognised a rural settlement in use from... more
During the intensive survey carried out by the author in the territory of Carini, within the framework of a thesis in Beni Culturali Archeologici coordinated by prof. Aurelio Burgio, it has been recognised a rural settlement in use from the 3rd century BC to the first half of the 7th century AD in contrada Amone, near Giardinello (Pa). In Modern Age a great rural complex, organized in different agricultural structures of the 17th century and used until the '70s, was supeimposed to this settlement. One of these structure was built on the ruins of a roman bath which belonged to the residential complex of ancient period.
Research Interests: Modern History, Early Modern History, Early Medieval Archaeology, Survey Methodology, Survey (Archaeological Method & Theory), and 37 moreSurvey Research, Survey Research (Research Methodology), Sicily (History), Archaeological Prospection, Roman Baths (Archaeology), Late Roman Pottery, Surveying, Archeologia, Roman Sicily, Archaeological survey, Terra Sigillata A, B and C, Survey, Ancient Sicily, Sicily, Archeologia Siciliana, Archeologia Tardoantica E Paleocristiana, Archaeology, Classical archaeology, Greek and Roman history, Greek Colonization (Magna Graecia and Sicily), Material Culture Studies, Funerary Archaeology, Roman baths, Archeologia Bizantina, Sicilia, Sigillata Africana, Late Roman Cooking Ware, Archeologia classica Topografia Urbanistica Magna Grecia Sicilia antica, Le Terme Romane, Ricognizione Archeologica, Insediamenti Bizantini, Cooking Ware, Terme Romane, Roman Archaeology, Anfore Romane, Ceramica Africana Da Cucina, Archeology, Ricognizioni, Terra Sigillata Africana, Ceramica Da Cucina, Anfore Tardoantiche, and Pantellerian ware
11. La peste e il mare. Il porto tra antichità e medioevo.
Research Interests:
Ce colloque interdisciplinaire est organisé dans le cadre du programme Watertraces, soutenu par la fondation Amidex d’Aix-Marseille Université. Il a pour objectif principal d’encourager un dialogue étroit entre les... more
Ce colloque interdisciplinaire est organisé dans le cadre du programme Watertraces, soutenu par la fondation
Amidex d’Aix-Marseille Université. Il a pour objectif principal d’encourager un dialogue étroit entre les
disciplines archéologiques et environnementales, en présentant et en interprétant des études de cas datées de
l’Antiquité méditerranéenne, et plus précisément du 4 e
s. av. J.-C. au 1
er
s. apr. J.-C. Il s’agit de présenter des
études novatrices sur des sites en partie sélectionnés sur la base de critères géologiques et hydrogéologiques.
Les contextes climatiques en cours lors du développement des villes antiques, mais aussi les conditions
hydrogéologiques passées et actuelles nous permettent d’avancer des hypothèses sur l’utilisation des eaux à
l’époque antique. Le colloque veut ainsi mettre l’accent sur les études à fortes collaboration entre
archéologues et naturalistes.
Il s’organisera autour de trois questions essentielles : tout d’abord, l’approvisionnement mixte eau de
pluie/eaux souterraines, qui a été observé dans plusieurs sites de Méditerranée, et qui témoigne de
connaissances plus ou moins intuitives des populations concernées.
On analysera ensuite la manière dont les aménagements hydrauliques s’insèrent dans le territoire : nombre de
villes antiques se sont dotées d’un approvisionnement complémentaire, extérieur à leur périmètre en
installant des aqueducs. Ces aménagements s’inscrivent durablement dans le paysage, et sont repérables à
travers des recherches spécifiques. Là aussi, on croisera réflexions théoriques et méthodologiques, avec des
études de cas qui reflètent ce dialogue interdisciplinaire entre sciences de la Terre, sciences de
l’environnement et sciences archéologiques.
Dans ce cadre, on s’intéressera enfin aux phénomènes karstiques, qui conditionnent la vie d’un territoire ou
d’une ville et on s’interrogera sur le mode de gestion des ressources hydriques.
Le colloque abordera diverses stratégies d’acquisition et de distribution de l’eau développées par les villes
étudiées. À travers une approche diachronique, on s’efforcera de mettre en lumière les évolutions des choix
techniques de l’époque hellénistique à l’époque romaine et de réfléchir aux besoins en eau des populations
antiques.
La rencontre veut enfin mettre en place un modèle technique sur l’utilisation des eaux, éclairer l’évolution
des savoirs hydrologiques et réfléchir aux transferts technologiques entres les sociétés méditerranéennes.
D’autres pistes de recherches pourront émerger à travers les discussions entre spécialistes.
L’eau est un des éléments fondamentaux pour la vie d’une ville et d’une société. Dans l’Antiquité, elle était
recherchée, protégée et exploitée au maximum, surtout dans les zones qui ne disposaient pas d’une ressource
abondante. En certains endroits de la Méditerranée, les caractéristiques du substrat géologique durent
sûrement influer sur le choix de la répartition topographique des citernes et des habitats. Outre des raisons
stratégiques, ces sites furent probablement choisis pour la présence des eaux qui, d’une façon plus ou moins
abondante, desservaient les sites. Ainsi le colloque s’appuiera sur une question principale: quels sont les
points de captage des eaux et les solutions adoptées pour les exploiter ? On souhaite concentrer l’attention
sur les techniques d’approvisionnement des réservoirs/citernes avec l’eau disponible directement sur les
sites, mais établir aussi des parallèles avec les techniques de captage des eaux du territoire.
Même si l’hypothèse généralement acceptée prévoit la création de citernes pour la collecte des eaux de pluie
(Hodge 2008), il a été possible d’observer, grâce aux recherches les plus récentes, que plusieurs villes
anciennes disposaient de citernes qui collectaient aussi les eaux de type hydrothermal ou karstique. Il était
régulièrement admis que les citernes soient alimentées en suffisance par les eaux pluviales. Mais parfois, il a
été observé que les caractéristiques structurelles des citernes suggéraient un approvisionnement
complémentaire d’origine hydrogéologique. Fréquemment, on assiste à la naissance de nouveaux sites de
hauteurs aujourd’hui apparemment dépourvus d’alimentation en eau, mais qui offraient probablement des
conditions édaphiques satisfaisantes, notamment par la présence d’émergences hydrothermales ou karstiques
aujourd’hui taries. Des phénomènes similaires ont été documentés en Grèce (Higgins, Higgins 1996) et
certaines villes de la Sicile et de l’Italie Centrale, caractérisées notamment par un substrat géologique
calcareo-dolomitique.
Un aspect que l’on valorisera au cours de ce congrès est donc celui de la collecte des eaux souterraines dans
des sites apparemment dépourvus de sources naturelles ou artificielles. Ces sites recueillaient les eaux et les
stockaient dans les citernes. Etaient-elles suffisantes pour l’approvisionnement des cités ? Suffisaient-elles à
satisfaire les besoins publics et privés, notamment pendant les périodes de sècheresse ?
2
Grâce à l’expérience de leurs prédécesseurs, les ingénieurs hydrauliques surent résoudre le problème de
l’approvisionnement en eau à travers des solutions novatrices. Se diffusèrent donc des citernes/réservoirs qui
recueillaient aussi bien l’eau de pluie que l’eau remontant des profondeurs, comme c’est le cas de Solonte
(Polizzi et alii 2017) ou bien de Mycènes, déjà au cours du II millénaire av. J. C. (Stewart, Piccardi 2017).
Dans certains de ces sites, avec le temps, les sources d’eau s’épuisèrent. Les causes de déficit hydrique
peuvent être multiples: d’ordre climatique (régimes de répartition des pluies), une augmentation de la
population, une utilisation excessive de la nappe, ou bien des évènements sismiques importants qui
modifièrent l’hydrogéologie locale. Quelles furent réellement les principales causes et les conséquences de
ces déficits hydriques ? Comment fut résolu le problème du manque d’eau ? C’est ce que nous aborderons
pour des sites majeurs de la Méditerranée parmi lesquels : Mycènes, Delphes et Délos en Grèce, Pergame en
Asie mineure, Baies en Italie méridionale, Solonte, Tyndaris, Termini Imerese, Alesa, Agrigente et Syracuse
en Sicile.
Amidex d’Aix-Marseille Université. Il a pour objectif principal d’encourager un dialogue étroit entre les
disciplines archéologiques et environnementales, en présentant et en interprétant des études de cas datées de
l’Antiquité méditerranéenne, et plus précisément du 4 e
s. av. J.-C. au 1
er
s. apr. J.-C. Il s’agit de présenter des
études novatrices sur des sites en partie sélectionnés sur la base de critères géologiques et hydrogéologiques.
Les contextes climatiques en cours lors du développement des villes antiques, mais aussi les conditions
hydrogéologiques passées et actuelles nous permettent d’avancer des hypothèses sur l’utilisation des eaux à
l’époque antique. Le colloque veut ainsi mettre l’accent sur les études à fortes collaboration entre
archéologues et naturalistes.
Il s’organisera autour de trois questions essentielles : tout d’abord, l’approvisionnement mixte eau de
pluie/eaux souterraines, qui a été observé dans plusieurs sites de Méditerranée, et qui témoigne de
connaissances plus ou moins intuitives des populations concernées.
On analysera ensuite la manière dont les aménagements hydrauliques s’insèrent dans le territoire : nombre de
villes antiques se sont dotées d’un approvisionnement complémentaire, extérieur à leur périmètre en
installant des aqueducs. Ces aménagements s’inscrivent durablement dans le paysage, et sont repérables à
travers des recherches spécifiques. Là aussi, on croisera réflexions théoriques et méthodologiques, avec des
études de cas qui reflètent ce dialogue interdisciplinaire entre sciences de la Terre, sciences de
l’environnement et sciences archéologiques.
Dans ce cadre, on s’intéressera enfin aux phénomènes karstiques, qui conditionnent la vie d’un territoire ou
d’une ville et on s’interrogera sur le mode de gestion des ressources hydriques.
Le colloque abordera diverses stratégies d’acquisition et de distribution de l’eau développées par les villes
étudiées. À travers une approche diachronique, on s’efforcera de mettre en lumière les évolutions des choix
techniques de l’époque hellénistique à l’époque romaine et de réfléchir aux besoins en eau des populations
antiques.
La rencontre veut enfin mettre en place un modèle technique sur l’utilisation des eaux, éclairer l’évolution
des savoirs hydrologiques et réfléchir aux transferts technologiques entres les sociétés méditerranéennes.
D’autres pistes de recherches pourront émerger à travers les discussions entre spécialistes.
L’eau est un des éléments fondamentaux pour la vie d’une ville et d’une société. Dans l’Antiquité, elle était
recherchée, protégée et exploitée au maximum, surtout dans les zones qui ne disposaient pas d’une ressource
abondante. En certains endroits de la Méditerranée, les caractéristiques du substrat géologique durent
sûrement influer sur le choix de la répartition topographique des citernes et des habitats. Outre des raisons
stratégiques, ces sites furent probablement choisis pour la présence des eaux qui, d’une façon plus ou moins
abondante, desservaient les sites. Ainsi le colloque s’appuiera sur une question principale: quels sont les
points de captage des eaux et les solutions adoptées pour les exploiter ? On souhaite concentrer l’attention
sur les techniques d’approvisionnement des réservoirs/citernes avec l’eau disponible directement sur les
sites, mais établir aussi des parallèles avec les techniques de captage des eaux du territoire.
Même si l’hypothèse généralement acceptée prévoit la création de citernes pour la collecte des eaux de pluie
(Hodge 2008), il a été possible d’observer, grâce aux recherches les plus récentes, que plusieurs villes
anciennes disposaient de citernes qui collectaient aussi les eaux de type hydrothermal ou karstique. Il était
régulièrement admis que les citernes soient alimentées en suffisance par les eaux pluviales. Mais parfois, il a
été observé que les caractéristiques structurelles des citernes suggéraient un approvisionnement
complémentaire d’origine hydrogéologique. Fréquemment, on assiste à la naissance de nouveaux sites de
hauteurs aujourd’hui apparemment dépourvus d’alimentation en eau, mais qui offraient probablement des
conditions édaphiques satisfaisantes, notamment par la présence d’émergences hydrothermales ou karstiques
aujourd’hui taries. Des phénomènes similaires ont été documentés en Grèce (Higgins, Higgins 1996) et
certaines villes de la Sicile et de l’Italie Centrale, caractérisées notamment par un substrat géologique
calcareo-dolomitique.
Un aspect que l’on valorisera au cours de ce congrès est donc celui de la collecte des eaux souterraines dans
des sites apparemment dépourvus de sources naturelles ou artificielles. Ces sites recueillaient les eaux et les
stockaient dans les citernes. Etaient-elles suffisantes pour l’approvisionnement des cités ? Suffisaient-elles à
satisfaire les besoins publics et privés, notamment pendant les périodes de sècheresse ?
2
Grâce à l’expérience de leurs prédécesseurs, les ingénieurs hydrauliques surent résoudre le problème de
l’approvisionnement en eau à travers des solutions novatrices. Se diffusèrent donc des citernes/réservoirs qui
recueillaient aussi bien l’eau de pluie que l’eau remontant des profondeurs, comme c’est le cas de Solonte
(Polizzi et alii 2017) ou bien de Mycènes, déjà au cours du II millénaire av. J. C. (Stewart, Piccardi 2017).
Dans certains de ces sites, avec le temps, les sources d’eau s’épuisèrent. Les causes de déficit hydrique
peuvent être multiples: d’ordre climatique (régimes de répartition des pluies), une augmentation de la
population, une utilisation excessive de la nappe, ou bien des évènements sismiques importants qui
modifièrent l’hydrogéologie locale. Quelles furent réellement les principales causes et les conséquences de
ces déficits hydriques ? Comment fut résolu le problème du manque d’eau ? C’est ce que nous aborderons
pour des sites majeurs de la Méditerranée parmi lesquels : Mycènes, Delphes et Délos en Grèce, Pergame en
Asie mineure, Baies en Italie méridionale, Solonte, Tyndaris, Termini Imerese, Alesa, Agrigente et Syracuse
en Sicile.
Research Interests:
La progettazione di un mondo eco-sostenibile, che sappia convivere con l'ambiente circostante rispettando gli equilibri ecologici, è una delle sfide delle comunità contemporanee, non a caso è tra le linee guida di Horizon 2020. La terza... more
La progettazione di un mondo eco-sostenibile, che sappia convivere con l'ambiente circostante rispettando gli equilibri ecologici, è una delle sfide delle comunità contemporanee, non a caso è tra le linee guida di Horizon 2020. La terza edizione di Landscape vuole tentare di declinare questa tematica nell'antichità, cercando di comprendere il livello di consapevolezza ecologica delle società antiche ed evidenziando quali sono state le scelte politiche ed economiche attuate tenendo in considerazione la componente ambientale. Il convegno, organizzato in collaborazione con l'Università di Bologna e la Consulta di Topografia Antica, si terrà tra il 5 ed il 6 maggio 2022 a Bologna e Ravenna.
Research Interests:
La progettazione di un mondo eco-sostenibile, che sappia convivere con l'ambiente circostante rispettando gli equilibri ecologici, è una delle sfide delle comunità contemporanee, non a caso è tra le linee guida di Horizon 2020. La... more
La progettazione di un mondo eco-sostenibile, che sappia convivere con l'ambiente circostante rispettando gli equilibri ecologici, è una delle sfide delle comunità contemporanee, non a caso è tra le linee guida di Horizon 2020.
La terza edizione di Landscape vuole tentare di declinare questa tematica nell'antichità, cercando di comprendere il livello di consapevolezza ecologica delle società antiche ed evidenziando quali sono state le scelte politiche ed economiche attuate tenendo in considerazione la componente ambientale.
Il convegno, organizzato in collaborazione con l'Università di Bologna e la Consulta di Topografia Antica, si terrà tra il 5 ed il 6 maggio 2022 a Bologna e Ravenna.
La terza edizione di Landscape vuole tentare di declinare questa tematica nell'antichità, cercando di comprendere il livello di consapevolezza ecologica delle società antiche ed evidenziando quali sono state le scelte politiche ed economiche attuate tenendo in considerazione la componente ambientale.
Il convegno, organizzato in collaborazione con l'Università di Bologna e la Consulta di Topografia Antica, si terrà tra il 5 ed il 6 maggio 2022 a Bologna e Ravenna.
Research Interests:
An interdisciplinary approach is devoted to the study of water management in ancient cityes. It compares the approaches and methods adopted by researchers from diff erent disciplinary sectors to identify the water conditions of past... more
An interdisciplinary approach is devoted to the study of water management in ancient cityes. It compares the approaches and methods adopted by researchers from diff erent disciplinary sectors to identify the water conditions of past society es and to highlight the measures they have taken to adapt to their water resources. Deriving from an interdisciplinary meening held in Aix-en-Provence (Mediterranean House of Human Sciences) in 2019, it brings together seven articles that present the innovative results of collaborations between archaeologists and environmental scientists, geologists, geomorphologists, and climatologists in particular. A� er an introduction that situates the discussions conducted in Aix-en-Provence within the framework of the Watertraces project, funded by the A*Midex foundation (Aix-Marseille University), most of the articles focus on the Sicilian situation. An initial synthesis covers all aspects of the question, followed by four case studies ranging from the 4th century BC to the 1st century AD. Case studies on Agrigento, Termini Imerese/Thermai Himerenses, Alesa/Halaesa, Solunte and Tyndaris are presented. The focus then moves to southern Italy (the Terme di Baia), and to Aegean Greece (the sanctuary at Delphi).