Archaeologists Discovered a Luxury Roman Village in Southeastern Sicily

TP24.it ^ | October 19, 2024 | editors / unattributed

[SunkenCiv]

In the province of Catania, archaeologists have excavated the remains of a Roman house with a mosaic floor dating from the 2nd to 4th centuries AD. The house was part of a whole Roman village and was situated close to the town of Vizzini in southeastern Sicily, at an elevation of almost 500 meters above sea level...

These geophysical measurements led the research team to the remains of the buildings that have now been excavated. The building extended 30 by 13 meters, and its remains are just below the current surface. Inside, there is a representative room of nearly 100 square meters, with a floor covered in mosaics. Unfortunately, parts of the mosaic were destroyed by plowing, says Bergemann.

There were other comparable structures nearby, according to the geophysical measurements. Between the 2nd and around the 6th century AD, people lived here at a high level: there were columns built with rounded bricks, coated with stucco, and probably painted, similar to what you see in Pompeii, says Bergemann. We have found remains of fountains with marble ponds, as well as luxury Roman ceramics known as Terra Sigillata...

[SunkenCiv]

Mosaic floor in a Roman villa near Vizzini, Sicily

Johannes Bergemann

[SunkenCiv]

[july4thfreedomfoundation]

Thank-you for posting another great story!

Keep up the good work.

[Larry Lucido]

Sicily? I wonder if George Patton passed through there in an earlier life?

[Rockingham]

This looks like a settlement of what Pliny the Elder called "villa urbana," convenient suburban getaways for the wealthy from the bustle and demands of town and city life. One can imagine a collection of such villas and nearby supporting businesses like taverns and food vendors.

The residents would of course know each other through ties of family, friendship, and business, and they would enjoy visits, meals, and small parties back and forth from one villa to another. That is how Italians and Provencal French live in the countryside today, envied by all who have even a glimpse of such life.

[Adder]

Yes...we watch Italian property videos and periodically such a borgo comes up for sale.
The main house and several support buildings and other houses grouped together in a small enclave. Sounds very much like this villa set up.
I guess it made sense for some.

[Cincinnatus.45-70]

Thanks, SunkenCiv!

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks.

[SunkenCiv]

My pleasure!

[SunkenCiv]

:^)