Da Hykkara a Qarinis. Evoluzione di una statio tardoromana lungo la Via Valeria

Abstract

The settlement of S. Nicola in Carini (Palermo, Sicily), identified with the statio of Hykkara along the via Valeria, mentioned in the Itinerarium Antonini, also presents an Islamic age phase. The catacomb of Villagrazia, used from the 4th to the full 7th century, and the Ecclesia Carinensis are related to the Late Roman settlement. The archaeological investigations, started by the Soprintendenza BB.CC.AA. of Palermo in 1997 and 2005, resumed in 2016 with systematic excavations, thanks to the availability of the Municipality of Carini and the collaboration of the ArcheOfficina Society. Since 2021 an agreement has been signed between Soprintendenza, Municipality of Carini and University of Palermo. The excavations have uncovered a domus of the 4th-5th century A.D. with later modifications. Until the 7th century, imports from North Africa prevail; while in the Early Middle Ages, finds relating to the first phase of the Islamization of Sicily are more present. New data will be provided by ongoing geophysical surveys.