Largest Greek Necropolis in Sicily Revealed by Railway Construction
During railway improvement efforts on the Fiumetorto-Ogliastrillo stretch, the FS Group discovered Himera, the largest Greek necropolis in Sicily. An exhibition at Palermo Centrale station, named "Himera dagli alti dirupi," features 20,000 artifacts uncovered over three decades and will remain open until November 10, 2025. Established in 648 BC, Himera played a crucial role in the battles of 480 and 409 BC, with the latter marking the decline of the Greek colony. Excavations have uncovered tombs from the 409 BC massacre and weaponry from these conflicts. Claudio Mario Arezzo identified the site in 1573, and archaeological efforts commenced in 1927, revealing the city’s boundaries, the sanctuary of Athena, and over 10,000 burials between 2008 and 2011.
Key facts
- Largest Greek necropolis in Sicily, Himera, discovered during railway doubling works.
- Excavations by FS Group (Rete Ferroviaria Italiana and Italferr) on Fiumetorto-Ogliastrillo section.
- Exhibition 'Himera dagli alti dirupi' at Palermo Centrale station until November 10, 2025.
- 20,000 artifacts from thirty years of excavations on display.
- Himera founded in 648 BC by Greek colonists.
- Battles of 480 and 409 BC; Carthaginian victory in 409 BC ended the colony.
- Between 2008 and 2011, over 10,000 burials were unearthed.
- Site identified in 1573 by Claudio Mario Arezzo.
Entities
Artists
- Claudio Mario Arezzo
Institutions
- Rete Ferroviaria Italiana
- Italferr
- Gruppo FS
- Palermo Centrale station
Locations
- Himera
- Sicily
- Italy
- Fiumetorto
- Ogliastrillo
- Palermo
- Messina
- Buonfornello