Scavi Archeologici "Località Capanne"
Museum | Castro | Lombardia | Italy
The archaeological excavations at the "Località Capanne" in Castro, Apulia, Italy, are of great importance for understanding the ancient history of the region. Several remarkable finds have been made in this area, pointing to the existence of a temple dedicated to the goddess Minerva.
Key finds:
Bust of the goddess Minerva: A significant discovery is a bust believed to represent the goddess Minerva. This find confirms the worship of the goddess in the region and provides valuable information about the religious practices of the time.
Altar of the temple: Another important find is the altar associated with the temple of Minerva. This altar dates back to the second half of the 4th century BC and is the only monumental Greek altar in Apulia. It was used as a sacrificial site for animal offerings in honor of the goddess.
Bronze statuette of the goddess Minerva: Additionally, a small bronze statuette of the goddess Minerva was found, now exhibited at the municipal museum of Castro. This statuette depicts the goddess with a Phrygian helmet, indicating oriental influences.
Significance of the excavations:
These finds are of great importance as they not only document the religious practices of the ancient population of Castro but also demonstrate the cultural and historical connections of the region to other parts of the Mediterranean. The discoveries confirm the existence of a temple of Minerva mentioned in the writings of Virgil and provide archaeological evidence of the worship of this goddess in the region.
Current research:
The excavations at the "Località Capanne" continue with the aim of obtaining further information about the ancient city of Castro and its religious practices. The ongoing research is conducted by a team of archaeologists led by Professor Francesco D'Andria.
The results of these excavations contribute to deepening the understanding of the ancient history of Southern Italy and preserving the cultural heritage of the region.
