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Exploring Ancient Sicily at Paliké
Location: Mineo, Catania, Italy
Season:
May 12, 2019 to June 15, 2019
Application Deadline:
Friday, February 1, 2019
Deadline Type:
Exact date
Flyer:
catania_italy_flyer.pptx_.pdf
Program Type
Field school
RPA certified
no
Affiliation:
Florida Atlantic University
Project Director:
Professor Brian E. McConnell, RPA, Florida Atlantic University
Project Description
Rocchicella di Mineo (ancient Paliké) is an archaeological site with a chronological sequence that runs almost continuously from the Mesolithic Period through the Middle Ages, and it offers an opportunity to study human habitation and indigenous-colonial interaction at the center of the Mediterranean. In Archaic, Classical, and even into Roman Imperial times, Paliké was the seat of the indigenous cult of the Divine Palikoi -- which grew around a series of 'boiling lakes' described in detail by Diodorus Siculus and even mentioned in the Aeneid by Vergil. Monumental buildings in a planned layout with at least three major phases are associated with the sanctuary. Briefly during the later fifth century B.C.E. the sanctuary was the seat of a league of Sikel cities, which under the leadership of Douketios stood up to the power of coastal Greek cities. Portions of the site were used as a farm in later imperial times, and a Byzantine settlement with a later Arab presence have also been identified.
The 2019 excavation season intends to continue exploration of the entrances to the major religious and political complexes in the Grotto area, the excavation of Stoa FA at the edge of the sanctuary's service area, and the complex of levels associated with a Byzantine building that has been explored over the past two years. Work at the site is performed roughly four days per week in the context of a study program that includes visits to major sites and museums (including Syracuse, Agrigento) and classwork in archaeological theory, Sicilian history, and cultural resource management. An ancient Greek play at the Syracuse theater (INDA) is included, as well. The program offers academic credit, academic service learning credit, and a certification of participation from the Soprintendenza per i Beni Culturali ed Ambientali di Catania. Specialized projects can be arranged for students. The site has an antiquarium and administrative, storage, and laboratory facilities, and it is fully equipped for the reception of visitors. Housing and transportation to and from the program base in Catania is included in the official program expenses. Transfer credit can be arranged for students coming from outside the State University System of Florida. See our Facebook page: Exploring Ancient Sicily at Palikè.
Period(s) of Occupation: Rocchicella di Mineo (ancient Paliké) is an archaeological site with a chronological sequence that runs almost continuously from the Mesolithic Period through the Middle Ages, and it offers an opportunity to study human habitation and indigenous-colonial interaction at the center of the Mediterranean. In Archaic, Classical, and even into Roman Imperial times, Paliké was the seat of the best known indigenous cult -- that of the Divine Palikoi -- which grew around a series of 'boiling lakes' described in detail by Diodorus Siculus, the first century B.C.E. Greek historian, and even mentioned by Vergil. Monumental buildings in a planned layout with at least three major phases are associated with the sanctuary. Briefly during the later fifth century B.C.E. the sanctuary was the seat of a league of Sikel cities, which under the leadership of Douketios stood up to the power of coastal Greek cities. Portions of the site were used as a farm in later imperial times, and a Byzantine settlement with a later Arab presence have also been identified.
Notes:
Rocchicella di Mineo (ancient Paliké) offers a rich archaeological sequence with monumental construction within a dramatic landscape literally at the interface between Europe and Africa. Significant fieldwork is combined with structured academic instruction in archaeological theory, Sicilian history, and cultural resource management. College and university students of all ages are welcome, and the site is relatively easy to get around. Students gain exposure to excavation techniques, the processing and cataloguing of finds, archaeological illustration, and restoration. Evenings and weekends are free to explore the island of Sicily and points further afar. See our Facebook page: Exploring Ancient Sicily at Palikè
Project size:
1-24 participants
Minimum Length of Stay for Volunteers: 5 weeks
Minimum age:
17
Experience required:
One year of college study is required, in order to enroll in the academic program. No prior knowledge of archaeology, fieldwork, or related study is required. Participants should be ready to work outdoors within the regulations of a formal safety plan, which also prescribes appropriate clothing (e.g. safety shoes, long-sleeved shirt, and a hat for the sun). The weather is reasonable for the early summer season.
Room and Board Arrangements
Students stay in apartments within the city of Catania rented by the FAU program (transportation to the site and to other program destinations is included in the program fee). Double occupancy is normal with separate apartments for men and women. Full kitchen and bathing facilities are available in each apartment, as well as a washing machine, which is included in the program fee. Introductory, final, and 'road trip' meals are included in the program fee, although day-to-day meals and related, personal expenses are the responsibility of each participant.
Cost:
Program fee -- $2,488 plus transportation to and from the program base. Approximately $125 per week for food and related personal expenses.
Academic Credit
Name of institution offering credit:
Florida Atlantic University
Tuition:
Tuition is based on the number of credits in which a student is enrolled and residency status in or out of the State of Florida. Please see the brochure for further information or contact the Education Abroad office (mmcshane@fau.edu).
Location
Recommended Bibliography:
Here is a working academic bibliography specifically for the site of Rocchicella di Mineo from 1997 on:
L. Maniscalco e B.E. McConnell, “Scavi e ricerche attorno Palikè,” Kokalos 43-44, 1997-98, II, pp. 173-188.
L. Maniscalco, “Rocchicella,” pp. 737-743 in Le Ceramiche impresse nel Neolitico Antico. Italia e Mediterraneo, a cura di M.A. Fugazzola Delpino, A Pessina, V.Tinè, Roma: 2002.
L. Maniscalco e B.E. McConnell, “The Sanctuary of the Divine Palikoi (Rocchicella di Mineo, Sicily): Fieldwork from 1995 to 2001,” American Journal of Archaeology 107, 2003, pp. 145-180.
L. Maniscalco, “Le fasi preistoriche nell’area del santuario dei Palici,” pp. 47-51 in Dall’Alcantara agli Iblei, a cura di F. Privitera e U.Spigo, Palermo: 2005.
L. Maniscalco, “Il santuario dei Palici alla luce delle ultime indagini,” pp.116-121 in Dall’Alcantara agli Iblei, a cura di F. Privitera e U.Spigo, Palermo: 2005.
L. Maniscalco e B.E. McConnell, “Il santuario dei Palici,” p. 123 in Urbanistica e architettura nella Sicilia greca, a cura di Patrizia Minà, Palermo: 2005.
L. Maniscalco, “Il Neolitico in Sicilia come appare a Rocchicella di Mineo,” pp. 535-540 in Papers in Italian Archaeology VI. Communities and Settlements from the Neolithic to the Early Medieval Period, II, eds. P.Attema, A. Nijboer, and A. Zifferero, British Archaeological Reports International Series 1452, Oxford: 2005.
B.E. McConnell, "Terracotta architectural fragments from ancient Palikè (Rocchicella di Mineo, Sicily) and places nearby," pp. 426-432 in Deliciae Fictiles III, Architectural Terracottas in Ancient Italy: New Discoveries and Interpretations, Proceedings of the international conference held at the American Academy in Rome, November 7-8, 2002, edited by I. Edlund-Berry, et al., Oxford: 2006.
Il Santuario dei Palici, Un centro di culto nella Valle del Margi, a cura di Laura Maniscalco, Collana d’Area, Quaderno n. 11, , Regione Siciliana, Area Soprintendenza per i beni culturali e ambientali di Catania, Assessorato Regionale BB.CC.AA. e P.I., Palermo: 2008; review by R. Ross Holloway in American Journal of Archaeology 113 (2009), pp. 667 – 668; review by I. Edlund-Berry in Bryn Mawr Classical Review 2010.03.26.
L. Maniscalco, M.R. Iovino, L. Pappalardo, D. Puglisi, F. Rizzo, e F.P. Romano, “Archaeological volcanic glass from the site of Rocchicella (Sicily, Italy),” Archaeometry 50.3, 2008, pp. 474-494.
B.E. McConnell, "Reflections on an interesting historical parallel: the Sikels of fifth century B.C. Sicily and the Cherokee in nineteenth century North America,” pp. 100 – 108 in KOINE, Mediterranean Studies in Honor of R. Ross Holloway, eds. D.G. Counts and A.S. Tuck, Oxford: 2009.
L. Maniscalco, “Rocchicella di Paliké. Il santuario dei Palici in età arcaica,” pp. 99-100 in La Sicilia in età arcaica. Dalla apoikiai al 480 a.C., a cura di R. Panvini e L.Sole, Palermo: 2009.
L. Maniscalco, “Indagini archeologiche presso il Santuario dei Palici e a Porta Udienza, Mineo,” Kokalos XLVII- XLVIII, 2009, pp. 499-510.
L. Maniscalco e I. Vacirca, “Testimonianze dell’età del rame presso il santuario dei Palici (Mineo-CT),” pp. 1053-1065 in Atti della XLI Riunione Scientifica delI’Istituto Italiano di Preistoria e Protostoria, Firenze: 2012.
L. Maniscalco, E. Castiglioni, C. Di Patti, e G. Piscopo, “L’insediamento neolitico di Rocchicella-Palikè,” pp. 525-534 in Atti della XLI Riunione Scientifica delI’Istituto Italiano di Preistoria e Protostoria, Firenze: 2012.
L. Maniscalco, G. Barone, C.M. Belfiore, A. Lo Giudice, P. Mazzoleni, A. Pezzino, e M. Triscari, “Contributo petrografico alla caratterizzazione delle ceramiche preistoriche della Sicilia orientale: i casi di San Marco , Poggio Monaco e Rocchicella,” pp. 1369-1374 in Atti della XLI Riunione Scientifica delI’Istituto Italiano di Preistoria e Protostoria, Firenze: 2012.
L. Maniscalco, “Palikè, Rocchicella di Mineo,” pp. 132-144 in Archaeology’s Places and Contemporary uses, Erasmus Intensive Program 2011-2012 Design Workshop 3, a cura di M. Vanore, Università Luav, Venezia: 2012.
L. Maniscalco, “Il santuario dei Palici a Rocchicella di Mineo,” pp. 90-97 in Da Evarco a Messalla. Archeologia di Catania e del territorio dalla colonizzazione greca alla conquista romana, a cura di M. Ursino, Palermo: 2012.
L. Maniscalco, “The Sanctuary of the Palikoi at Rocchicella (Mineo): the Copper Age structures and the “boiling waters’ phenomenon,” pp. 169-178 in From Cave to Dolmen, a cura di Domenica Gulli, Oxford: 2014.
L. Maniscalco e B.E. McConnell, "Recent Discoveries at the Sanctuary of the Divine Palikoi," pp. 517-521 in Proceedings of the 15th Symposium on Mediterranean Archaeology, ed. P.M. Militello and H. Oniz, British Archaeological Reports International Series 2695, Oxford: 2015.
L. Maniscalco, B.E. McConnell, e F. La Fico, “Il Sistema idrico del Santuario dei Palici,” pp. 26-35 in Atti del Convegno ‘La Geoarcheologia come chiave di lettura per uno sviluppo sostenibile del territorio,’ a cura di G. Bruno, Supplemento a Geologia d’Ambiente 2, 2015.
L. Maniscalco, “Il santuario dei Palici alla luce delle ultime indagini,” pp.161-176 in Dal Sikanikon all’Ellenikon. Riflessioni sugli ethne della Sicilia Antica: origini e relazioni (Atti del Convegno, Dicembre 2003), Palermo: 2015.
B.E. McConnell, “Costruzioni monumentali del periodo arcaico a Morgantina e Palikè,” pp. 219– 230 in Morgantina Duemilaequindici, La ricerca archeologica sessant’anni dall’avvio degli scavi, a cura di L. Maniscalco, Regione Siciliana, Assessorato dei beni culturali e dell’identià siciliana, Dipartimento dei beni culturali e dell’identità siciliana, Palermo: 2015.
In press:
L. Maniscalco e B.E. McConnell, “Pasti rituali e non rituali presso il Santuario dei Palici (Mineo),” in Atti del Convegno internazionale <<Cibo per gli uomini Cibo per gli Dei. Archeologia del pasto rituale>> Piazza Armerina, Maggio 2005.
L. Maniscalco, “Il territorio di Mineo in età arcaica,” in Atti del Convegno La Sicilia in età arcaica, Caltanissetta, 2008.
B.E. McConnell, “Tempio di età arcaica sull’acropoli di Palikè,” Atti del Convegno <<Sikelikà Hierà, Approcci multidisciplinari allo studio del sacro nella Sicilia greca>> 11 – 12 giugno 2010, Coro di Notte, Monastero dei Benedettini, Piazza Dante, Catania, IBAM – Università degli Studi di Catania.
L. Maniscalco e B.E. McConnell, “Il santuario dei Palici nella Valle del Margi,” Atti del Convegno <<Santuari Indigeni di Sicilia e Magna Grecia. Modelli, organizazzione e regime delle offerte a confronto, (Catania) 8 – 9 e (Marianopoli) 10 – 11 giugno 2011, Servizio Museo Interdisciplinare Regionale di Caltanissetta, Cnr-Ibam Catania, Università degli studi di Catania (Facoltà di Lettere e Filosofia e Scienze della Formazione - Dipartimenti Processi formativi e di Scienze Umanistiche), la Scuola di Specializzazione in Beni Archeologici, and the Comune di Marianopoli.
* * * * *
It is possible to download educational publications about the Rocchicella di Mineo (ancient Palikè) archaeological site through the Arca dei Suoni website of the Sicilian Regional government. They are in Italian and have lavish illustrations (more complete in many ways than the scholarly publications). There are two volumes:
Volume I
http://www.arcadeisuoni.org/…/53-alla-riscoperta-della-terr…
Volume II
http://www.arcadeisuoni.org/…/54-alla-riscoperta-della-terr…
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