The 3rd stage of archaeological excavation at "Pago del Jarafí" (Lanteira) finished.
The 3rd stage of archaeological excavation at "Pago del Jarafí" (Lanteira) finished. We thank all the volunteers for their work. See you the next year!!
The MEditerranean MOuntainous LAndscapes Project, financed by European Commission FP-7 (#613265), is coordinated by José María Martin Civantos, associate professor and researcher at the Dept of Medieval History, Universidad de Granada (Spain). The project aims to apply an interdisciplinary perspective to study the evolution of Mediterranean mountainous cultural landscapes.
We announce the opportunity to participate in the III Archaeological Excavation Campaign, authorized by the Soprintendenza ai Beni Culturali e Ambientali di Trapani, at the site of Pizzo Monaci (Custonaci, Trapani).
The site is located at a calcareous summit (1607.61 ft). It represents a settlement from the Islamic period adapted to the terrain that today is a fortified structure, accessible from the northeast side. Inside, at least 50 cells have been identified, built with limestone and dry stone technique. As of today, we have excavated seven cells and the main entrance which has allowed to delineate the internal structure of the Pizzo Monaco archaeological site. It has been identified as a fortified structure, a possible collective granary from Islamic times (10th?-11th centuries) linked to a medieval settlement ( rahal/qarya) situated at the base of the mountain.
Previous campaigns not only allowed to determined the chronological and cultural frame of the Pizzo Monaco settlement, but also provided data for an integrated reading of the rural landscape in which the fortified granary is located. Thus, the University of Palermo took soil samples for a dafology analysis. Archaeological sediments taken from the different use levels of the different localised environments and soil samples, were floated in order to extract ancient vegetable remains (Escuela Española de Historia y Arqueología en Roma-CSIC). In addition, the University of Granada developed an integral triditopography of the settlement and the hill in which it is located.
The excavation was co-financed by the Ministry of Culture in Spain, through the funding “Ayudas arqueológicas en el exterior”, and the Max Van Berchem Foundation.
The MEMOLA partners that participate in the III excavation Campaign are:
We also count with the collaboration of Custonaci and Buseto Palizzolo city councils, that will provide logistical support.
This year the excavation will be organized in 2 turns of 15 days each:
Registration will be open until may 31st, 2016. It is necessary to send an email to:
Rocco Corselli (rocco.corselli@gmail.com) including the following:
Campaign details: