contrada Grammena

The archaeological excavation conducted by the Soprintendenza di Catania in 2007 brought to light a Roman farm, characterized by multiple phases (from the third to the seventh century A.D. ) in the area of a previous Hellenistic settlement (fourth - third centuries b.C.). In the late Byzantine period (between the eighth and the first half of the ninth century) a three-naved basilica, with a narthex, was built, destroying in part the remains of the farm, as well as those of the late antique settlement. The basilica underwent various modifications before being transformed into a stone dump. The plan is similar to thoe of other Sicilian religious buildings traditionally dated between the fifth and the sixth century A.D. and shows that it was well-rooted in the Late Antique tradition. The centrality of the settlement (not far from the Roman aqueduct that crossed the area, and next to a road in use betwen the Roman and the Late-medieval periods) explains the continuity of the settlement at a junction that was clearly important in this area.