As part of the construction project for the new Palermo-Catania-Messina railway link, a significant archaeological discovery has been presented by Italferr, the company responsible for the work, revealing details of a vast Roman settlement discovered on a hill above the Dittaino River, in the Palomba-Catenanuova section on the island of Sicily.
The excavation work has brought to light an extensive Roman settlement dating from the mid-1st century to the 3rd century AD. The strategic location of this settlement, on a hill overlooking the Dittaino Valley, suggests its importance in controlling the region’s communication routes.
The settlement includes remains of a rustic villa with a complex spatial organization. Archaeologists have identified a central area and at least three corridors, along with remnants of pavements and collapsed structures that indicate the site’s relevance in its time.
This discovery suggests that the villa not only served as a residence but also fulfilled a productive function, likely linked to agricultural and livestock activities.
One of the most interesting finds is an extensive necropolis located to the west of the settlement, at the top of the hill and on its northwest slope. The necropolis has revealed 168 graves, ranging from simple earth pits covered with tiles to monumental tombs, indicating significant social stratification in the community that inhabited the settlement.
Among the most notable graves are a “alla cappuccina” tomb, a bustum, and a cremation in a marble urn. The bustum contained an exceptional grave good consisting of five necklaces and two gold rings, while the Carrara marble urn has an inscription mentioning a Magnus Magister Pecoris, a key figure in livestock administration, who donated the urn to the deceased.
In addition to the settlement and necropolis, magnetometric investigations have identified a possible cult area in the eastern sector of the site. In a natural channel, archaeologists found remains of burned animal bones, ash layers, and alluvial deposits, indicating the performance of rituals. Among the recovered objects are oscilla, worked bone needles and pins, and a die with an inscription yet to be deciphered.
The excavations, initiated in 2020 in collaboration with the Soprintendenza Beni Culturali e Ambientali di Enna, continue with the aim of documenting and preserving this important archaeological site. The project also seeks to develop a valorization plan that will allow the public to learn about and appreciate the historical richness of the region.
This finding underscores the importance of preventive archaeological investigations in large infrastructure projects. Italferr’s approach, which combines traditional methods with innovative technologies, has proven successful in preserving cultural heritage while advancing the development of strategic infrastructure for the country.
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