Monti di Trapani

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1st Archaeological Excavation Campaign at Castello Eufemio (Sicily)

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 1st Archaeological Excavation Campaign, authorized by the Soprintendenza ai Beni Culturali e Ambientali di Trapani, at Castello Eufemio in Calatafimi Segesta (Trapani).

The castle is located at a calcareous summit (400 ft) and it controls all the current urban centre. The present village was developed to the East since the 16th-17th centuries, leaving the castle protected from this urban growth. The Castello Eufemio gives its name to the village: Qal’at Fîmî, that means Eufemio’s castle, and it appears in the Idrisi’s documents as a fortress with village annexed. In 1239 the castle becomes part of castra exempta of Federico II, i.e one of the castles controlled directly by the throne in their fight against Muslims. It remained this way until 1336 when the castle passes into the hands of different landowners. The castle will be converted into a prison from half of 17th century until 1868, when it was abandoned.

The excavations made at Castello Eufemio at the end of last century was focused on the restoration and conservation of the more recent structures. During this excavations different materials (pottery) from the 11th-12th centuries were located, confirming a possible occupation during that period. The main objective of our excavation will be the documentation of structures related to this chronology or to previous phases of the castle.

The MEMOLA partners that participate in the III excavation Campaign are:

  • University of Granada (Spain);
  • University of Sheffield (UK);
  • Arqueoandalusí Arqueología y Patrimonio S.L. (Spain)
  • Agencia Estatal Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas–CSIC- Escuela Española de Historia y Arqueología en Roma.
  • University of Palermo, C.I.R.I.T.A.- Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerche sulla Interazione Tecnologia-Ambiente;

We also count with the collaboration of Calatafimi Segesta city council, that will provide logistical support, and of the association SiciliAntica, based in Castellammare del Golfo

 

This year the excavation will be organized in 2 turns of two weeks each:

  • July 3th-14th 2017
  • July 17th-28th 2017

Registration will be open until May 31st, 2017. It is necessary to send an email to:

Rocco Corselli (rocco.corselli@gmail.com) including the following information:

  • Full updated Resume
  • Which turn you would like to participate
  • Indicate any food allergies.

Campaign details:

  • Participants will cover their travel costs.
  • Bring a sleeping bag and appropriate work outfit (clothes, footwear and gloves).
  • Due to the characteristics of the site it is advised to bring sun protection: cream and a hat.
  • Meals will be provided by the organisation from Monday through Friday: breakfast, lunch (at the excavation site) and dinner.
  • Working tools will be provided to all participants.
  • Volunteers must bring proof of accidental injury insurance, valid during the time of their participation at the excavation and a valid ID card.
  • The peculiarities of the terrain require good physical condition (the weather is extremely hot and the excavation conditions will be hard)
  • There will be parallel activities such as working with archaeological pottery and soil samples flotation
  • Work schedule will be from 7:30am to 3:30pm. The schedule could be modified depending on the weather conditions.
  • For all those who need it, a certificate of participation will be issued.

 

Presentation of hydraulic survey result at Monti di Trapani

Arqueo presented some results of hydraulic survey carried out in the territory of Monti di Trapani, at the school F. Vivona of Calatafimi Segesta

UNIPA e ARQUEO analizzano le comunità vegetali

UNIPA e ARQUEO analizzano le comunità vegetali e le caratteristiche dendrometriche degli alberi per ricostruire i processi storici e ecologici nell'antico “Bosco della Foresta” (Calatafimi)

Hydraulic survey and ethnographic interviews in Monti di Trapani

Arqueoandalusi and the University of Granada have began a new hydraulic survey campaign and ethnographic interviews in the study area of Monti di Trapani (Sicily)

Fieldwork carry out by UCO and ARQUEO on local knowledge

Fieldwork carried out by UCO and ARQUEO on local knowledge based on soil and water resources management and crop suitability and its implications for the historical landscape in Monti di Trapani.

Presentation about Cultural Routes in Monti di Trapani

Last friday has been successfully conclude the presentation about cultural routes of MEMOLA project, in Monti di Trapani area. Thanks to the walkers of "Antica Trasversale Sicula" and to the rest of asociations of Calatafimi and Alcamo for their participation. Also, of course,thanks to "Associazione Bosco Angimbè" who hosted us in their Educational Center

Cultural routes in Calatafimi Segesta

We wait for you next friday to talk about the cultural routes in Calatafimi Segesta, the meeting will be at Centro Didattico Naturalistico Bosco di Angimbè

The second stage of archaeological ‪excavation‬ at "Pizzo Monaco" (‪Custonaci‬) finished.

Here are some photos of the second round of ‪‎excavation‬ in ‪‎Pizzo Monaco‬ (‪‎Custonaci‬-‪‎Trapani‬). Thanks again to all the volunteers who helped us in various ways in this campaign!

Visits of the archaeological excavation from Pizzo Monaco (Sicily)

Yesterday, in Pizzo Monaco, we received the visit of Rossella Giglio (Chief Soprintendenza of Trapani)’

The first stage of archaeological ‪excavation‬ at "Pizzo Monaco" (‪Custonaci‬) finished.

It concludes the first turn of the archaeological excavation in Pizzo Monaco (Custonaci). Thanks to all participants!

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