Rocca Nadore. Nuove indagini e prospettive di ricerca

The site of Rocca Nadore is located in a strategic area along the southern. The stratigraphic sequence stretches from the Archaic Age to the Late Medieval occupation, but the most significant evidence dates to the period between the 4th and the 3rd century BCE when an important settlement was built probably sponsored by Carthage. The importance of the site results from its position: it controls a large portion of land between the poleis of Selinunte and Eraclea Minoa on the south shore and the routes across the inland that allow passage towards the North of the region. The joint research activities of the and Soprintendenza of Agrigento has been focused on the topographical definition of the site, in particular on the defensive system. The research of 2004-2005 allowed us to identify and bring to light new areas of settlement and sections of the fortification. The University has also activated laboratories for the study of the finds discovered in previous years that involved undergraduated students. New research campaigns will be aimed to clarify other aspects of the site dynamics settlement as the birth and development, a better knowledge of the road network and the urban structure, identifying worship area and public spaces. The aim of this paper focus on C1 sounding which returned important archaeological finds, useful to rebuild the way of life in the Rocca Nadore site. In particular, the amphorae represent an important evidence of the Sea Trade Networks. The data obtained through the study of artifacts found in the C1 sounding seem to set a “low chronology” for the abandonment of the site between the end of the 4th and the first three decades of the 3rd century BCE. Currently it is difficult to understand which of the historical events, that affected at this time, has led to the destruction of the fortified town of .