The prehistoric site was casually discovered by Alberto Solinas around the 70s. The archeological area fits a complex stratigraphic series and occupies 400mq circa. The excavation allowed to retrieve fundamental evidence of our past, a little piece of our history and development, but also the Homo Heidelbergensis’ lifestyle, who lived in Isernia 600.000 years ago.
Archeology in Molise
Archeology in Molise
by Luca Inno
Isernia "La Pineta"
Isernia
The Old Town of Isernia preserves a significant archeological stratification. Through its walls it is possible to understand the perimeter and the extension of the Latin Colony of Aesernia, founded by the Romans in the 263 BC. In fact, the urban planning of the Old Town suggests that it was designed by a Roman architect. A wide and holy area (III Century BC), a unique one, is located near the intersection of the two main axes of the Old Town.
Furthermore, the Old Town underground preserves the remains of a cryptoporticus that recalls a tangibllee cross-section of the llife of those times.
Venafro
The town of Venafro is characterized by a rectangular grid-shaped urban layout designed by the Romans. Venafro was a Roman Colony (Coona Augusta Jullia Venafrum) and had a strategic role because of its topographic position. A Roman amphitheater (Verlascio) is visible near the urban center and, even if it has been contaminated during the Middle Age and the XVII Century AC, it keeps its peculiar elliptical planimetric shape. Presumably, the amphitheater was used for gladiators’ matches and shows and it could host around 15 thousand people. Then, following the rural vocation of the town, the Roman building had been transformed into a stall and a barn.
San Vincenzo al Volturno (IS)
The Italic Sanctuary of Pietrabbondante (IS), keeps some important evidence of the Samnite religiosity. It is an irreplaceable spot for the Sannio’s history. The site, located in an untouched countryside, amazes everyone with the theater and temple’s imposing ruins (II Century BC). During the last years, some archeological activities brought to life some ruins of the domus publica, a unique example of its kind.
Pietrabbondante (IS)
The Italic Sanctuary of Pietrabbondante, in the province of Isernia, preserves the most important archaeological evidence of the Samnite religion of ancient Molise. It constitutes an irreplaceable point of reference for the knowledge of the history of Sannio and of the very origins of our nation. The site, surrounded by unspoiled nature, immediately amazes with the particularity and importance of the archaeological remains of the temple and theater dating back to the end of the second century. B.C. In recent years, archaeological excavations have brought to light the remains of the domus publica, a unique and clearly recognizable example, documented in its architectural and functional characteristics.
Saepinum (CB)
A first fortified center originally stood on the mountain called “Terravecchia” and some walls of the site are visible still today. The center was conquered by the Romans in 293 BC during the Third Samnite War and then abandoned by its inhabitants which moved towards the land.
The first urban planning of the town of Saepinum (II Century BC) reached its apex during the Augustan Age. The town kept its vitality till the IV-V Century AC and, because of an earthquake or an economic crisis, the ancient Roman town began its downhill.
Vastogirardi (IS)
In this little town, located in the north of Molise, few kilometers from Pietrabbondate, there are, around the Trigno’s wellspring, some ruins of an ancient Italic temple. It is characterized by a high podium with a vertical wall and a tetrastyle front. Even though the area was inhabited from many years before, this pagan center dates to the second half of the II century BC. During the Middle Age, the temple was used to build a church dedicated to Saint Angel and, in fact, the relationship between the architectural structures of the two different eras is very peculiar.
Larino (CB)
Larinum, an Oscan town founded in the XII Century BC, was conquered by the Romans in the 319 BC and ensued a slow but unstoppable process of Romanization. The archeological sites of the Roman Era are, still today, pretty evident: the amphitheater, the baths, the forum, and the mosaics. Under the Lombard dominion (VI-X Centuries AC), the town became part of the important Dukedom of Benevento.
San Giovanni in Galdo (CB)
Few kilometers from the town, it is possible to visit a little holly area from the end of the II Century BC. The worship place was made up of a holy gate, with a vertical wall and two small rooms preceded by colonnades.
