Ricerc@Sapienza

Pyrgi, the port of Caere, one of the most important cities of Etruria, played a central role in the multifaceted network of commercial and cultural exchanges between Etruria, the Greek world, and the Levant. This site exemplifies the dynamics of intercultural contact characteristic of trade hubs, set within a context where the sacred dimension was of paramount importance. Although physically separated from the harbor infrastructure, the sanctuary held a central position and was ideologically connected to the port itself, functioning as a protected node of exchange under the jurisdiction of divine authority. From the late 7th century BCE onward, Caere designated Pyrgi as its principal maritime outlet, reflecting a strategic political and economic orientation toward the wider Mediterranean sphere. The Etruscan city was connected to its main military and commercial port by the monumental Caere-Pyrgi road, which constitutes tangible evidence of the inseparable relationship between the urban center and its maritime outlet. Since it was abandoned after the Romanization period, the site is an exceptional case-study because of the possibility of a full analysis of its different topographical components and a large-scale research over its territory. The excavations have brought to light a large sacred district, including the famous Sanctuary of Uni-Astarte and a demetriac cult place dedicated to the couple of deities Sur and Cavatha. Investigations have focused also on the the area of the settlement of Pyrgi, where excavations are currently underway in a sector designated for public and ceremonial activities. Research program for the year 2025 aims to improve the knowledge of the topographical asset of Pyrgi. The project implies a strong interdisciplinary approach (8 Deptartments involved), matching different research fields in a coherent framework: archaeology, history of institutions, archaeometry, chemistry, geography, remote-sensing, restoration, landscape architecture.