Recent excavations at the ancient city of Selinunte, located in southwestern Sicily, have led to the remarkable discovery of a new small temple complex within the Archaeological Park of Selinunte.
Arial view of the area where the new temple was discovered. Credit: Selinunte Archaeological Park
This ancient Greek city, which was a significant center in the region of Magna Graecia, has long been known for its rich archaeological heritage, including several monumental temples dating back to the 6th century BCE.
The excavation work, led by archaeologists from the Insтιтute of Fine Arts at New York University and the University of Milan, has been ongoing for over a decade. This year’s research focused on the large urban sanctuary within the Acropolis, a sacred area that has been identified as one of the most important cult sites during the Archaic and Classical periods.
The new discovery is situated directly behind the well-known Temple C, a Doric-style temple believed to have been dedicated to Apollo and built around the mid-6th century BCE. Temple C has been a focal point of previous excavations, which uncovered hundreds of ancient seals, suggesting its use as an archive.
The newly uncovered temple complex, described as “of great value” by Francesco Paolo Scarpinato, the Regional Councillor for Cultural Heritage and Sicilian Idenтιтy, is rectangular in shape and notably lacks the colonnade design typical of other temples in the area. According to the director of the Archaeological Park, Felice Crescente, and lead archaeologist Clemente Marconi, the structure appears to be modest in size, measuring about two-thirds the size of the nearby Temple R.
In addition to the new temple, the excavations revealed a large monumental entrance to the northwest of the Acropolis, as well as a room containing a circular well, various coins, and a valuable piece of gold jewelry. These findings, along with other artifacts, may date back to the Middle and Late Corinthian periods, approximately between 580 and 570 BCE, and could provide crucial insights into the early years of Selinunte.
The researchers also made significant progress in understanding the rituals ᴀssociated with the construction of Temple R. Archaeological evidence suggests that the surrounding structures were deliberately demolished to their foundations as part of a “purification” ritual. Among the artifacts found was an iron spear spire (machaira), which had been deliberately defunctionalized by removing the tip and edge of the blade, symbolically stripping the weapon of its offensive power.
The findings offer the potential to rewrite the history and understanding of Selinunte’s sacred areas.
Archaeological Park of Selinunte
Parco Archeologico di Selinunte, Cave di Cusa e Pantelleria
