April 2023 Archaeological Discoveries: Paestum, Segesta, Paris, Brittany, Colchester
In April, notable archaeological finds from the Roman period emerged in Italy, France, and Great Britain. Tiziana D’Angelo reported that excavations in Paestum, Italy, uncovered votive artifacts such as a gorgon head and an Eros depiction, with the sanctuary's origins traced back to the 5th century BCE. Additionally, Segesta revealed a paved street, suggesting the extent of a Hellenistic settlement. Meanwhile, renovations in Paris's metro system unearthed a Gallo-Roman necropolis containing around forty tombs. In La Chapelle-des-Fougeretz, Brittany, a sanctuary dedicated to Mars and an early Roman necropolis were discovered. Furthermore, a Roman mosaic found in Colchester, Essex, in 1988 is set to be showcased under glass by summer, with support from the Colchester Borough Council and Lion Walk Shopping Precinct.
Key facts
- Paestum excavations revealed votive objects, terracottas, altars from a 2019 temple discovery.
- Finds at Paestum include a gorgon head, Aphrodite, seven bull heads, and Eros riding a dolphin.
- Tiziana D’Angelo said the discovery changes known history of ancient Poseidonia.
- Sanctuary at Paestum founded in first quarter of 5th century BCE.
- Segesta excavation uncovered a paved street, allowing rewriting of Hellenistic settlement extent.
- Young asylum seekers from Casa Belvedere in Marsala participate in Segesta dig.
- Paris metro renovation revealed a Gallo-Roman necropolis with about forty tombs near Port-Royal.
- Inrap discovered a sanctuary to Mars, baths, and necropolis at La Chapelle-des-Fougeretz, Brittany.
- Colchester Roman mosaic, found in 1988, will be displayed under glass by end of summer 2023.
Entities
Institutions
- Parco Archeologico di Paestum
- Parco Archeologico Regionale di Segesta
- Regione Siciliana
- Casa Belvedere di Marsala
- Università di Ginevra
- Institut National de Recherches Archéologiques Préventives (Inrap)
- Le Figaro
- Colchester Borough Council
- Lion Walk Shopping Precinct
- Artribune
Locations
- Paestum
- Italy
- Segesta
- Sicily
- France
- Paris
- 14th arrondissement
- Port-Royal
- Lutetia
- La Chapelle-des-Fougeretz
- Ille-et-Vilaine
- Brittany
- Great Britain
- Colchester
- Essex
- Red Lion Yard
- Marsala