Recherche par auteur > Capece Daniela

In 2017, the University of Naples Federico II initiated a research project resulting in renewed archaeological explorations within the ancient city of Noto (Siracusa), specifically focusing on the hitherto unexplored Chiusa di Poliseo/Goliseo area on the eastern flank of Mount Alveria. Stratigraphic soundings were conducted, revealing the organizational phases of ancient Noto during the Hellenistic period.

This study aims to present a remarkable discovery: the closure ritual of a sacred site. The scrutinized square-shaped context features a central pit containing diverse votive deposits characterized by the coexistence of animal bones and pottery artifacts (including double-handle cups and lanterns) dating back to the 3rd century BC. Archaeological examinations suggest that the oikos hosted rituals, culminating in the sealing of the site through a closing ceremony represented by the votive deposits, followed by the subsequent abandonment of the context.

Intentional incisions in the stratigraphy, observed at the context's centre, have been filled with assorted materials, potentially indicative of sacrifices associated with the settlement's abandonment. These practices imply the occurrence of ritual activities spanning over an extended period. Animal bone remains within the pit, coupled with stones and blocks outside which probably supported a trapeza, suggest a complex ritual involving the slaughter and consumption of livestock.

Noteworthy findings pertain to the exploration of sealed contexts, enabling precise chronological reconstruction. The structure in question was erected between the second half of the 4th century and the first half of the 3rd century BC, only to be abandoned in the final decade of the 3rd century BC. Subsequently, the area was reoccupied around the beginning of the 10th century AD for habitation and productive purposes, likely associated with routes leading toward the coast and the inland regions.

The identification of this modest sacred site enhances our comprehension of the region's utilization while concurrently elucidating intricate ritual activities. The sacred function aligns with Ieronian interests in anhellenic settlements within inland Sicily. These recent discoveries in ancient Noto mark the beginning of a new phase of research aiming to underscore and deepen our understanding of the Hellenistic/Ieronian phase of Mount Alveria's settlement. This period is substantiated by both written sources and monumental archaeological evidence, such as the gymnasium and the heroa, collectively constructed during the same period around an as-yet-unidentified pivotal political and monumental core.