Bosco Littorio: A Gateway for Trade in Early Gela

Bosco Littorio: A Gateway for Trade in Early Gela

Discover the significance of this emporion, a trading outpost dating back to the 6th century BC, as a vital hub for commerce in early Gela.

Bosco Littorio is an archaeological site situated near the coast of Gela, Sicily, featuring approximately ten quadrangular buildings from the 6th-5th centuries BC. These buildings served as a commercial emporium, a trading outpost that facilitated the exchange of goods between Greek settlers and local populations. Archaeological investigations have uncovered traces of these buildings, boasting plastered interiors and wooden beam housings. Excavated artifacts, such as imports consisting of Corinthian, Attic, Chalcidian, and Laconian wares, underscore the site's active Mediterranean networks.

One notable find includes transport amphorae, implying the handling of commodities like olive oil or wine. Although the site was abandoned around the 5th century BC, it is currently managed for protection and public access by Sicily's Forestry Corps and has been incorporated into the Parco Archeologico di Gela.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons

Written by Nicolo Ciampini

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