Excavations in Marsala reveal ancient Lilybeo artifacts from urban sites.
A wide archaeological excavation campaign conducted in various areas of Marsala has brought to light several testimonies of the ancient Lilybeo. Many significant artifacts and new data have been unearthed in the urban sites where the city of Marsala overlaps with ancient Lilibeo. In the areas of the Punic ditch (Marconi square/Amendola street) and vico Infermeria, investigations are ongoing to reconstruct the historical-archaeological phases of this stretch of the ancient city’s powerful defensive system.
A first survey was carried out in the area adjacent to the so-called “Rock Bridge”, consisting of a rectangular spur already spared in Punic times (4th century BC) and projecting from the northeast wall of the ditch. This bridge, which probably was completed with a built structure (perhaps wooden), crossed the ditch leading to the highest point of the city. The research may provide indications to understand the original structure. The bottom of the ditch, according to historiographical sources, should reach a depth of about 12 meters.
In this first phase, the stratigraphies related to the Roman and late Roman phases (1st-4th century AD) were identified. The excavation will continue to reach the layers related to the Punic phase (4th century BC) and the bottom of the ditch. So far, the excavations have yielded abundant Roman and late Roman pottery: amphorae, small amphorae, jugs, cups, and lamps, both locally produced and imported (African terra sigillata).
A second survey is taking place in the area of the ditch below the Norman-Swabian castle, with the aim of reaching the foundations of the city wall. The goal is to reach the foundation trench of the castle, seeking scientific confirmation of its dating, and at the same time verify the possible presence of pre-existing fortifications before the medieval age. At the current state of the excavation, the stratigraphies related to the sixteenth century have been reached, a period in which the adjacent bastion of San Giacomo was built. The artifacts retrieved are, in fact, related to late and post-medieval bowls, bowls, and glazed jugs.
“Concurrently,” says Park director Anna Occhipinti, “the archaeological cleaning of the settlement area of vico Infermeria, a small portion of Roman and medieval age settlement located between the ditch and the Punic fortifications, is being conducted. The area was partly covered by modern fills.” An Open day is planned for April 28 to “show the city a preview of the new data emerged from the research”.
Scavi a Marsala per indagare sull’antica Lilybeo, numerosi reperti venuti fuori nei siti urbani
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