Excavations at the ancient Greek city of Selinunte revealed portions of the long-lost walls and the north gate. The findings were presented on March 25 at Baglio Florio in Selinunte, emphasizing the importance of one of Sicily's most important archaeological sites.
According to Greek City Times, a team of archaeologists excavated sections of the monumental gateway and walls that once surrounded Selinunte. The newly uncovered north gate includes the gateway through which passed the sacred way to the monumental necropolis outside the walls, emphasizing the city's pivotal role in ancient times.
"The discovery has shifted the northward boundary of Selinunte by 300 meters," the park's director, Felice Crescente, said, noting that this confirms the city's enormous socio-economic importance and offers fresh insights into its history.
The monumental gate, approximately three meters high, is believed to have served as a passageway for funeral processions heading to the necropolis and was also used for funerary rites and religious ceremonies. This suggests a richly woven tapestry of civic and religious life in Selinunte during its peak.
Evidence of workshops for handmade objects was found near the walls, indicating that Selinunte was a vibrant civic hub with an active life.
The use of three-dimensional geoelectric tomography was instrumental in these discoveries. This technique allows archaeologists to probe the ground down to four meters, providing exploration of the subsoil compared to traditional ground-penetrating radar. These advancements are expected to drive future digs at Selinunte, uncovering more of its hidden past.
German archaeologist Dieter Mertens, who in the 1990s hypothesized the existence of a more extensive wall network around Selinunte, expressed enthusiasm over the new findings. His earlier identification of anomalies in the area that indicated defensive structures was validated. "The recent discoveries confirm what we suspected decades ago," Mertens said.
Historian Diodorus Siculus recounted how the Carthaginians exploited weaknesses in Selinunte's defenses, particularly at the north gate, which was not protected by natural barriers like rivers or the sea. This vulnerability led to a ten-day siege in 409 BCE, resulting in the deaths of 16,000 combatants.
At its peak in the late 5th century BCE, Selinunte housed at least 26,000 inhabitants, reflecting its status as a major center of Greek culture in the Mediterranean. Its sphere of influence extended from Mazara del Vallo to Monte Adranone and Sciacca, sustaining a regional population of 90,000.
The Selinunte Archaeological Park now plans to transform the area into a museum space. The project aims to offer a more immersive experience, including virtual reconstructions of the ancient city walls, updated signage, and accessible pathways to enhance exploration. Sicily's Cultural Heritage Assessor, Francesco Paolo Scarpinato, emphasized that the park continues its historical recovery efforts thanks to its own funding, which also boosts tourism.
In addition to the excavations, a new emblem for the archaeological park was proposed, incorporating the iconic element of the selinon leaf depicted on an ancient coin from the Archaic period. This symbol reflects the city's heritage, as the name Selinunte derives from selinon, the ancient Greek word for wild parsley.
The project is led by young archaeologists from the archaeological association Archeofficina under the scientific guidance of Carlo Zoppi of the University of Eastern Piedmont, who was involved in excavations at Selinunte for decades. Their dedication continues to unveil the layers of history buried beneath the Sicilian soil.
