Sicily, Roman domus unearthed again in Akrai excavations

In Sicily, an excavation campaign carried out at the archaeological site of Akrai in Palazzolo Acreide has unearthed a Roman Domus. The excavations were conducted byWarsaw University in scientific co-direction with the Archaeological and Landscape Park of Syracuse, Eloro, Villa del Tellaro and Akrai directed by Carlo Staffile.

“The excavations, which are the result of an agreement between the Archaeological Park and the University of Warsaw,” said Councillor for Cultural Heritage and Sicilian Identity Alberto Samonà,“have enabled us to expand our knowledge of the city of Akrai. Relationships with various universities around the world and active excavation campaigns throughout Sicily constitute a very valuable added value for the enhancement of our archaeological heritage. Collaborations in this area, in fact, on the one hand allow us to pursue the investigation of the different archaeological sites in Sicily without burdening the Region, and on the other hand they keep international attention high on our precious historical-archaeological heritage and create relationships between different institutions with a spillover effect also on the cultural growth opportunities of our young people.”

The rediscovered Roman Domus stands on an older Hellenistic-era dwelling from the 3rd century B.C. and shows continuity of life up to the Byzantine era.

Regarding the archaeological site of Akrai, the collaboration between Sicily and Poland began in 2009, following a series of investigations based on the use of the latest non-invasive and remote sensing technologies on the hitherto unknown Akrai habitation. Prior to these excavations, only the monumental part of Akrai, a sub-colony of Syracuse, was known, namely the theater, the bouleuterion (a building that housed the council of the polis in ancient Greece), the temple of Aphrodite and the latomie (stone quarries in which prisoners were imprisoned and sentenced to forced labor).

The results of the excavation campaign that has just concluded will be presented today by Professor Roksana Chowaniec of the University of Warsaw.

Sicily, Roman domus unearthed again in Akrai excavations

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