During work for the installation of a drainage system at Syracuse’s stadium De Simone, the remains of a late Hellenistic dwelling and a small tomb of the third century BC were revealed.
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| Credit: La Repubblica |
“These are archaeological remains that testify to the site’s occupation in the late Hellenistic and Roman ages,” says the superintendent of Syracuse, Rosalba Panvini, “which currently being investigated by archaeologists.”
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| Credit: La Repubblica |
“We will decide whether the excavation will continue in order to better understand the context in which the tomb and dwelling were found. It was therefore necessary to stop the installation work and close the De Simone stadium to the public, pending a proposal by the Municipality for the re-location of the drainage system in an area away from the site.”
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| Credit: La Repubblica |
“In the light of the archaeological investigations carried out so far,” continues Rosalba Panvini, “it is imperative we safeguard the ancient remains that have emerged and change the project to respect the area.”
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| Credit: La Repubblica |
The city stadium of Syracuse is located in the heart of the Borgata district where, five years ago, on the occasion of excavations for the new sewerage system, numerous ancient remains of the late Hellenistic and Roman periods were discovered between the modern houses and under the streets of the neighbourhood, including tombs with funerary goods, houses with mosaics, Roman roads and even the remains of an emporium with amphorae containing traces of cereals and grains. These findings have been studied and covered with special protective covers and reveal a piece of the city’s history.
