Alcamo Project: an integrated laboratory for the analysis and the study of a roman officinal area in Contrada Foggia in Alcamo Marina (TP)

Abstract

During the archaeological research activities carried out in the past three years near Alcamo Matina (TP) an officinal area of the Roman period was brought to light. The find was accidental and consisted of a series of kilns used for the cooking of ceramic material which dates back to the centuries I-V A.D. The architectonic and structural solutions adopted for the realization of the ceramic complex are very interesting, a series of kilns on various levels with a system of terracing of the ground, orientation of the axis and of the opening of the praefurnium towards the non dominant winds, alternation of containment and strengthening wall structures and structural fillings made of clay. Some studies under way help better understand the officinal complex, they focus on the analysis of the ceramic material found there and on the reconstruction of the territory on the basis of methods of satellite bearing (GPS) and on the basis of cartographic results of models on the GIS platform.