Archaeologists Discover Luxury Roman Village in Southeastern Sicily

Researchers have unearthed the remains of a luxury Roman village in Catania, southeastern Sicily, in a significant archaeological find. The excavation revealed a Roman house featuring an intricate mosaic floor dating from the 2nd to 4th centuries AD, situated near the town of Vizzini at nearly 500 meters above sea level.

The team, led by Johannes Bergemann from the Archaeological Institute, initially inspected potential ancient sites throughout the Vizzini region. Following surface investigations, a geophysical survey conducted in 2023 detected anomalies in the Earth's geomagnetic field, allowing for detailed subsurface imaging without excavation.

This innovative approach guided the research team to the remains of a building measuring 30 by 13 meters just beneath the current surface. They discovered a spacious room of approximately 100 square meters adorned with mosaic flooring. Unfortunately, according to Bergemann, some mosaics had been damaged by ploughing activities.

Further analysis indicated the presence of additional comparable structures nearby. Bergemann noted that between the 2nd and 6th centuries AD, this area supported a high standard of living, with columns constructed from rounded bricks coated in stucco and possibly painted reminiscent of those found in Pompeii. The team also found remnants of fountains featuring marble ponds and luxury Roman ceramics known as Terra Sigillata.

Spanning roughly 15 hectares, the newly discovered Roman village reflects a transition from ancient Greek cities to large rural settlements and villas during the Roman era. This change facilitated agricultural production and long-distance trade across the globalized Roman Empire, leading to the emergence of numerous small storage sites along Sicily's southern coast.

Bergemann explained, “This new settlement system, connected to the interior by long-distance roads, existed for only a few centuries. The house we discovered near Vizzini is a vital testament to this era.”

The archaeology team presented their findings for the first time on October 16, 2024, at Vizzini Town Hall. Bergemann and his colleagues are scheduled to share their discoveries in a public lecture at the University of Göttingen on February 3, 2025, as part of an ongoing archaeological lecture series in the Old Auditorium.