Archaeologists from the University of Göttingen have discovered remnants of an ancient village near the town of Vizzini in southeastern Sicily, covering approximately 15 hectares. The team identified a villa adorned with an intricately decorated mosaic floor, dating from the 2nd to the 4th century CE.
The excavation area has been under investigation since 2022, initially focusing on already known ancient monuments in the region. Last year, researchers conducted geophysical surveys that revealed anomalies in the geomagnetic field. Mapping these anomalies led to the conclusion that structures lay beneath the surface, a hypothesis confirmed by subsequent excavations.
The first building uncovered measures 13 by 30 meters, featuring a central room of about 100 square meters with a mosaic floor, although some of it was damaged during agricultural activities.
Geophysical data suggest that similar structures are nearby. Scholars propose that between the 2nd and 6th centuries CE, this area hosted a prosperous elite village, where inhabitants enjoyed a high standard of living. The architecture included columns and decorations reminiscent of Pompeii, with remnants of fountains featuring marble basins and fragments of expensive pottery discovered.
Researchers believe the village’s prosperity was linked to its strategic location, which likely played a vital role in Mediterranean trade, serving as a hub for storage and logistics. Excavations will continue to deepen understanding of the daily lives of its ancient residents.