L’ipogeo e i fossati neolitici di contrada Stretto a Partanna. Scavi 1994 (original) (raw)

2023, Sicilia Antiqua

The hypogeum and the Neolithic ditches of Stretto near Partanna. Excavations1994. Stretto is a rocky hill not far from the town of Partanna (Trapani, West Sicily), in a district very rich in water, known for two large ditches dug inside the calcarenite from where large quantities of refined Neolithic wares come. Discovered in 1987 and partially investigated two years later, the trenches were subjected to systematic excavation in 1994. This excavation has clarified that the chronology of the two ditches dates back between the Middle Neolithic of Stentinello/Kronio facies and the final one of Diana facies. During this period the ditches have had important structural changes and in their use, passing from a primary function, for which they were excavated, linked to the lighting of fires, to diversified and alternating roles over time that included the discharge of residues, the temporary water flow, funeral use and even that of human or animal shelter. The two trenches, which have orthogonal orientations and are about 200 m apart, could be fragments of a single system surrounding a large area with a flat zone in the center, where there could be a built-up area or a space for outdoor activities. The most important discovery, however, was that of the oldest artificial hypogeum found so far in Sicily. Divided into four descending rooms, starting from a staircase at the entrance, the hypogeum ended on the vertical line of a small lake from which it originally drew water with a siphoning system that allowed the flooding of a room. Dated to the Middle Neolithic, and probably of a cult function, the hypogeum has comparisons in Puglia, with similar structures, also connected to Neolithic trenches.