Archaeologists have uncovered an ancient village and a Roman baths complex at a major dig in Italy, revealing thousands of years of history beneath the Peligna Valley town of Sulmona.
Researchers from Italy’s regional heritage authority, known as the Soprintendenza, began digging at the “Case Pente” site in March 2023. The work is required ahead of a planned gas compression plant from energy company Snam.
The dig covers about 12 hectares, making it one of the largest preventive archaeology projects in Abruzzo in recent years.
Before the dig began, the area had no formal archaeological protection. Past knowledge of the site came only from records of chance discoveries made in the 1800s.
The excavation has revealed a long timeline of settlement. The oldest finds include the remains of a village dating to the late Copper Age and early Bronze Age. Researchers found traces of 52 huts, marked by postholes, along with a nearby cemetery. Later burials from more recent periods were also found at the site.
Bronze Age village and Roman baths unearthed in the Peligna Valley town
Archaeologists fully documented the Bronze Age settlement before finishing work there, preserving all the scientific information it held.
Significant Roman era discoveries followed. Workers found a rural building and a bath complex along an old road that continued to shape the valley for centuries afterward. Officials placed special protections on these remains.
The Bronze Age village and the Roman baths uncovered in Italy will both stay in place, becoming part of a future visitor route now being planned.
The work goes beyond digging. Under an agreement between the heritage authority and Snam, all recovered items and preserved structures will be restored. Workers have already finished restoring the bath building.
Plans also call for rebuilding one of the ancient huts next to the Roman ruins. Scientists will study the recovered materials and run anthropological and genetic tests on the burials, along with plant, animal, and material analysis backed by radiocarbon dating.
Heritage officials address doubts raised over dig practices
The heritage authority opened the site to the public for the first time on June 13 during European Archaeology Days. Visits were limited, but the event let residents and researchers see active excavation work firsthand.
Responding to recent public debate, the heritage authority said that all work at the site followed required regulations under its direct oversight.
Officials said that every discovery has been properly recorded, studied, and protected. The most important finds will be preserved and opened to the public under ongoing preservation plans.
The authority said that excavation, research, and documentation will continue in the coming weeks, along with more updates shared with the public on the project’s progress.
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