Archaeologists have uncovered a previously unknown neighborhood of the ancient Greek city of Akragas (later known as Argigento) in Sicily, including large stone walls and buildings destroyed during a Carthaginian siege more than 2,400 years ago. The discovery offers new evidence of the city’s layout before its destruction in 406 B.C.
The remains emerged during excavations on the Case Montana plateau in Agrigento, where researchers opened two trenches measuring about 33 by 33 feet (10 by 10 meters) each. Layers of collapsed debris preserved the structures, allowing archaeologists to examine buildings dating to the fifth century B.C. The findings are part of the third excavation campaign in the Kolymbethra area and on the Case Montana plateau. Fieldwork is scheduled to conclude Oct. 24.
Ancient Greek buildings preserved beneath rubble
Akragas was founded by Greek settlers in the sixth century B.C. and became one of the most powerful cities in ancient Sicily. Carthaginian forces captured the city in 406 B.C., leaving widespread destruction. The city was also home to the monumental Temple of Olympian Zeus, where a giant Atlas statue was reconstructed in Agrigento, highlighting the scale of ancient Greek architecture at the site.
The newly uncovered buildings provide evidence of a neighborhood that had remained unknown until the current excavations. The discovery adds to earlier archaeological findings in Agrigento, where researchers uncovered mosaics and early Christian remains that reveal how the city changed over centuries. The latest excavation could help archaeologists better understand the city’s development and the destruction caused by the Carthaginian attack.
Ancient water channels discovered near Kolymbethra
Researchers have also documented previously unknown water management structures in a nearby streambed. After clearing vegetation, the team identified drainage conduits and channels carved into calcarenite, a type of limestone bedrock. The structures are associated with an ancient dam system that supported the artificial lake of Kolymbethra. Similar evidence of ancient Greek water management systems has emerged at Segesta in western Sicily, where archaeologists identified an extensive network of water channels.
Nearby, archaeologists continued clearing the New Hypogeum, an underground structure discovered in December 2023. Originally used to channel groundwater, it was later converted into an animal shelter and adapted for agricultural use during the 19th century.
Researchers investigate ancient landscape
The five-year project is led by Claudia Lambrugo of the University of Milan and Maria Concetta Parello of the Archaeological and Landscape Park, with support from the Italian Environmental Fund and park director Roberto Sciarratta. Andrea Zerboni of the University of Milan and Eleonora Regattieri of Italy’s National Research Council are studying the area’s geological history.
Researchers are collecting mineral deposits from underground cavities for laboratory dating and plan to take sediment cores in 2027. The excavation involves 33 archaeology students and postgraduate specialists, coordinated by Lambrugo and Alessandro Pace.
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