New researches on Pottery workshops in Akragas. Excavations in the artisanal area outside Gate 5 (excavation 2019)

The research on the craft areas in Agrigento has been recently undertaken by a team from the University of Bologna, in cooperation with the Archaeological and Landscape Park of the Valley of the Temples. This project focused on a sector of the kerameikos quarter of the ancient Akragas, partially excavated between the 1950s and the end of the 20th century, but never published. The sector is located in the South-West corner of the city, right outside the wall line and the sanctuary dedicated to the Chtonian Deities, in an area domi- nating the Hypsas river. Here, the position of three kilns (A-C) was already known. Through non-invasive surveys (2017-2018) and to a first excavation campaign (2019), it was possible to conclude the investigation on other two kilns, kiln D – only partially brought to light until now – and kiln E. The workshop mainly produced Greek-Western amphoras along with banded and plain pottery, tiles, and terracotta figurines used in the nearby sanctuaries. The production context seems extremely interesting for the investigation of the wor- kshop production of the colony during a period of great development and dynamism.