New Archaeological Treasures Unearthed at Finziade Reveal Life, Worship, and Industry in Ancient Southern Italy

In a groundbreaking excavation in southern Italy, archaeologists have unearthed a treasure trove of ancient remains at the site of Finziade, a lesser-known Hellenistic-Roman city with a dramatic origin story. Among the latest discoveries are a remarkably preserved artisan workshop and a domestic sacellum—a small household shrine—both offering unprecedented glimpses into daily life, religious practice, and economic activity in the ancient world.

The excavation was conducted under the supervision of the Archaeological Park of the Valley of the Temples and the CNR–ISPC of Catania, who focused on an unexplored area known as “House 19.” Located in what was once a thriving residential neighborhood, the structure proved to be a well-preserved example of domestic and artisanal integration in a Hellenistic-Roman city.

Finziade: A City Born From Destruction

Finziade was founded in 282 BC by Phintius of Acragas, also known as the “tyrant of Acragas.” The city was created in the aftermath of a brutal conquest: Phintius razed the ancient Greek city of Gela to the ground and forcibly relocated its surviving population to this new inland settlement, which he named Finziade. While originally a forced resettlement, Finziade would grow into a vibrant hub of trade, craft, and cultural blending.

Over the centuries, much of Finziade’s history faded into obscurity. Only scattered architectural remnants and fragments of pottery hinted at its former significance. However, recent archaeological efforts have begun to rewrite the city’s narrative—thanks in part to the meticulous excavation of House 19.

House 19: A Window into Ancient Daily Life

House 19, the focal point of the latest dig, has stunned researchers with its degree of preservation and the insights it offers. Comprising multiple domestic rooms, the house paints a vivid picture of household organization and lifestyle during the Hellenistic-Roman period.

Rooms within the house contain a variety of household artifacts, suggesting a mix of culinary, domestic, and ritual functions. Traces of food storage and preparation, tools for daily chores, and household furniture remains were all documented, allowing archaeologists to reconstruct aspects of family life and gender roles.

The Artisan Workshop: Industry in Action

Adjacent to the domestic area, researchers uncovered an industrial zone that includes ovens, kilns, and several production installations. The centerpiece is an artisan workshop where terracotta oil lamps and religious figurines were mass-produced using detailed molds.

This find is especially exciting because it shows a clear connection between domestic life and localized industry. It indicates that residents may have operated small-scale production facilities within or beside their homes—a form of cottage industry that sustained both the family and the local economy.

The presence of molds for figurines also reveals strong cultural and religious influences. Figurines from this period often depicted deities or mythological figures and were used in both household altars and public ceremonies. Their manufacture within a private home blurs the line between sacred and economic activity.

The Domestic Sacellum: Faith in the Family Home

Perhaps the most captivating part of the discovery is the domestic sacellum, or small household shrine, found intact near the workshop. The shrine was adorned with ritual statuettes, clay vessels, and religious offerings left behind by the ancient inhabitants.

According to the archaeologists, this sacellum offers a rare and intimate view of private worship. Unlike temple sites dedicated to public religious life, this space was deeply personal—serving as a site for daily devotion, ancestral reverence, and prayers for protection or prosperity.

The sacellum’s preservation is extraordinary, with offerings still in place and altar components undisturbed. Such finds are invaluable for understanding how ordinary people expressed faith at home, apart from state-controlled or priest-led rituals.

Collaboration, Community, and the Future of Finziade

The project is about more than just archaeology. As emphasized by the researchers, the excavation represents a model of collaboration between cultural institutions, academics, and the local community. Young people from the region have been actively engaged in preserving the site and learning about their heritage.

“This discovery goes beyond its scientific importance,” said a spokesperson from the Valley of the Temples Archaeological and Landscape Park. “It showcases what can be achieved when institutions work closely with the local population—not just to protect history, but to bring it alive.”

The dig is part of a broader cultural revitalization initiative aimed at transforming the region—especially the town of Licata, where Finziade lies—into a hub for cultural tourism and education. Despite its rich and complex history, the area has long been overshadowed by better-known sites in Sicily and mainland Italy.

A City Reborn from Ruins

The story of Finziade is one of resilience—from its traumatic founding to its quiet burial beneath centuries of earth. Today, as its walls, workshops, and shrines come back into the light, they speak of a world that was both sacred and practical, domestic and industrial, local and global.

The discoveries at House 19 will be carefully preserved, studied, and eventually shared with the public through exhibitions and educational programs. As more areas of the city are uncovered, archaeologists hope to piece together the social dynamics, trade networks, and spiritual lives of the people who once called Finziade home.

In doing so, they’re not just rediscovering a city—they’re reviving a forgotten chapter of human civilization.