World's Largest Agora Discovered at Selinunte, Sicily
At the ancient Greek site of Selinunte in Sicily, archaeologists have revealed the largest agora, spanning nearly 33,000 square meters. This significant discovery, led by Clemente Marconi from New York University and the University of Milan in collaboration with the German Archaeological Institute, was announced on July 23, 2022. The agora, which dates back to the Archaic and Classical periods, is trapezoidal in shape and does not contain Classical-era buildings. Central to the agora is the tomb of its founder, Pàmmilo, surrounded by residential areas and public structures, including a sacred enclosure for ancestor worship. Among the notable artifacts found are an ivory pendant, a blue glass amulet, and a two-part mold for a scepter. The site will feature the exhibition Ars Aedificandi.
Key facts
- Largest agora ever discovered, nearly 33,000 square meters, found at Selinunte, Sicily.
- Excavation led by Clemente Marconi (Institute of Fine Arts, NYU and University of Milan) with German Archaeological Institute in Rome.
- Announced on July 23, 2022.
- Agora has a trapezoidal shape; no Classical-era structures or tombs found.
- Tomb of founder Pàmmilo at center.
- Ivory siren pendant (mid-6th century BCE) reconstructed from 2017 fragments.
- Blue glass amulet of Horus (Egyptian, late 7th-early 6th century BCE) discovered.
- Two-part mold for a precious scepter reassembled; metallographic analysis pending.
- Largest quantity of ceramic fragments from Mégara Hyblaea ever found.
- Exhibition Ars Aedificandi with 1:1 scale models of ancient construction machines ongoing.
- Finds to be displayed at the antiquarium starting Friday.
Entities
Artists
- Clemente Marconi
- Felice Crescente
- Alberto Samonà
- Pàmmilo
Institutions
- Institute of Fine Arts at New York University
- University of Milan
- German Archaeological Institute in Rome
- Parco Archeologico di Selinunte
Locations
- Selinunte
- Sicily
- Italy
- Mégara Hyblaea
- Egypt