Ricerc@Sapienza

On the walls of Motya. Stratigraphy and Chronology in light of renewed Sapienza excavations (2014-2019) · During the last six seasons

Two altars with Egyptian gorge from the city-walls of Motya · During the xxxv-xxxviii seasons of excavations carried out in years 2015-2018 along the north-eastern side of the fortifications, by Rome «La Sapienza» University Expedition to Motya, two incense altars were found.

Overview on the Phoenician Tophet of Motya (TP, Sicily)

The earliest Phoenician settlement in the 8th century BC on the island of Motya is thoroughly illustrated with new discoveries by Sapienza University Expedition: the earliest temples of Baal (Shrine C14 and Temple C5) and Astarte (Shrine C12), the Tophet, the earliest necropolis and the 'Funduq' (Building C8) in Area C. Ceramic materials and other finds are also published.

Pomegranate remains and representations found in the Phoenician site of Motya in Western Sicily give the cue for a summary study of this plant and its fortune in the Near East and the Mediterranean.

A bronze axe of the Iron Age found in Motya (Sicily, Italy), in prehistoric strata dating from the 10th century BC (before the foundation of the Phoenician colony), has been characterised using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM-EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Electron Microprobe Analysis (EMPA). The axe was studied using micro-and invasive analyses, aiming to explore microstructure, corrosive process and to acquire quantitative chemical analysis. The results revealed that the axe is composed by a leaded-Cu-Sn alloy.

An Iron Age bronze axe was found in Motya (Sicily, Italy) in a prehistoric layer dating from the 10th century BC underneath the 4th century BC patrician residency known as “Casa dei mosaici”. The axe belongs to the double-looped socketed type well known in central Mediterranean in the time span 1200-900 BC, and it is comparable with some coeval Sardinian specimens. The bronze has been characterised using the backscattering electron signal of a SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope) and EDX (Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy).

Sapienza University of Rome and the Superintendence of Trapani have
been carrying on a major research project on the island of Motya since year
2002. Renewed excavations, restorations and studies over 15 years produced
a flow of fresh data which substantially changed the narration of the history
of the island from a prominent prehistoric occupation in the first half of the
second millennium BC to the Phoenician landing and development of a
flourishing harbour city at the centre of the Mediterranean, until its final

Recent excavations at Motya by the Sapienza University of Rome and the Sicil-ian Superintendence of Trapani have expanded our information on the Phoenician goddess Astarte, her sacred places, and her role in the Phoenician expansion to the West during the first half of the first millennium BCE. Two previously unknown religious buildings dedicated to this deity have been discovered and excavated in the last decade. The present article discusses the oldest temple dedicated to the goddess, located in the Sacred Area of the Kothon in southwestern quadrant of the island (Zone C).

The aim of this work was to characterize chemical composition of the alloys and corrosion microstructures of Phoenician bronze weapons from the archaeological site of Motya (western Sicily, Italy). For this purpose, some bronze artifacts were selected and studied by the combined use of different analytical techniques, such as scanning electron microscope (SEM-EDS) and electron microprobe analysis (EMPA). Moreover, X-ray maps on cross section of the artifacts were also performed to obtain information about elemental distribution in the different layers.