Archaeological Excavation at the Vallelunga Pratameno Site

Archaeological Excavation at the Vallelunga Pratameno Site, Caltanissetta (Sicily), for ITALFERR S.p.A., 2020–2024

Archaeological investigations were conducted on a rural settlement dating to the Roman period, covering an area of approximately 7,000 sq m and spanning a broad chronological range—from the Greek-period phases of the 4th–3rd centuries BC to the Byzantine occupation of Sicily in the 6th century AD. The site was identified through non-invasive surveys, including electrical resistivity tomography, magnetometry and ground-penetrating radar (GPR), which helped define the true extent and development of the structures.
Large-scale excavation brought to light an Imperial Roman villa, with earlier phases dating to the Hellenistic period, as well as an entire village occupied from the 4th to the 6th century AD. The work also included site-conservation activities, with consolidation and restoration measures, and a design phase aimed at enhancing the site and improving its accessibility for visitors.