Archaeologists working at the ancient site of Finziade in Licata, Sicily, have unearthed remarkably preserved domestic and craft environments. The discovery reveals new insights into daily life during the Hellenistic-Roman period.
The latest excavations, directed by Maria Concetta Parello of the Archaeological Park of the Valley of the Temples and Alessio Toscano Raffa of CNR – ISPC Catania, concluded with significant results. Rosario Callea of the Park oversaw technical operations. The Archaeological Park announced the findings via its official social media channels.
The focus of the latest work, “house 19,” remained sealed for over two thousand years. It preserved an extraordinary mix of domestic and industrial spaces, offering a vivid picture of life in the ancient city.
Archaeologists found a workshop containing around 40 terracotta moulds used for producing oil lamps and votive figurines. The area also includes ovens, tanks and working spaces linked to craft activity. Nearby, they uncovered a domestic shrine, or sacellum, with ritual objects and figurines, miraculously intact.
Experts say the finds shed new light on private religious practices and the domestic spirituality of ancient Finziade. The context, they add, opens new avenues for understanding Hellenistic and Roman-era devotional life.
Beyond the historical value, the excavation showcases successful collaboration between researchers, institutions and the local community. It also highlights the involvement of young people in preserving local heritage.
The initiative forms part of a wider plan to enhance Licata’s cultural landscape and develop its untapped tourist potential.
