A small, Christian Place of Worship was Discovered in the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento (Sicily)

Traces of a small Christian place of worship were uncovered in the Archaeological and Landscape Park of the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento , possibly dating back to the Early Christian stage of the city, or to the Early Middle Ages. The discovery took place inside a tank of the ancient thermal system of the city, within the Archaeological Mission that the University of Bologna began in 2016 thanks to a study and research collaboration with the Park in Agrigento.

‘Once again, the Archaeological Park in Agrigento has proven to be a treasure trove of information’, says Giuseppe Lepore, professor at the Department of Cultural Heritage (Ravenna Campus) and Mission leader. ‘This year, the investigations extended to the block IV of the ancient city and, in addition to the small Christian place of worship - brought to light a new series of structures within the regular urban perimeter, which was planned during the first half of the 6^th century B.CT. and remained in use until Medieval times’.

Twelve students enrolled in the Bachelor’s programme in Roman and Greek Archaeology and History of Art at the University of Bologna also participated in the Archaeological Mission. They were coordinated by Doctor Maria Serena Rizzo, archaeological officer at the park, and supported by several study grants, which were also funded by the Archaeological and Landscape Park of the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento.