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 Basilicata, archaeology - Magna Graecia
At the mouths of rivers and on the fertile
plains of Basilicata the Greeks founded the colonial ‘poleis’ of the refined Magna
Graecia.
The prestige of Metaponto, Siris, Heraclea and Pandosia
in Basilicata is
well known: their agricultural (mostly wheat) economy is so rich and prosperous
that there is an ear of corn on the currency of Metaponto. Their capacity to
organize their farming activities is proven by the ‘Tables of Heraclea’
that today are located in the National Archaeological Museum in Naples. The importance of
the finds
kept in the museums of Metaponto and Policoro is endorsed through the related
Archaeological Parks.
Today silhouetted against the blue skies of Metaponto, we have the fifteen remaining columns of the ancient
temple of Hera guarding the Bradano, while beyond the urban reach; we can
distinguish the sacred district of Apollo Licia and the ‘cavea’ of the Theatre. At
Policoro, on the hill, further than the Baronial palace, Siris was to
stand which, destroyed by the Achaean coalition of Metaponto, Crotone and Sibari,
saw the birth of Heraclea (433 B.C.) some proof of which can
still be seen today.
Pots and traces of water canals mark the
district of the craftsmen while the ovens mark the residential area.
The Hellenic culture arrived along the natural waterways to inland towns in Lucania: Bradano, Basento, Cavone, Agri and Sinni. Many of these centers dominated the
valleys but of them all Melfi must be mentioned as it was the
meeting place of the ‘Daune’ and ‘Enotrie’ civilizations (the candelabra of
Melfi) and then Serra di Vaglio, an acropolis built in a very strategic position
in the valleys of the Basento, Ofanto and Sele between the Jonian and Tyrrhenian
seas.
Melfi's importance is sanctioned by the presence of the nearby Italico Sanctuary
(IV B.C.) devoted to the goddess Mephitis, found at Macchia di Rossano. On Mount
Moltone di Tolve we have the remains of the most ancient villa rustica to be found as yet in Basilicata. Dating back to the Hellenistic period (IV-III
B.C.), the Villa Rustica of Melfi has the system of a central courtyard which was widespread on the
Mediterranean and among the Romans.
The order of these Hellenized centers was
upset by the arrival of the Osco-Sanniti of the Sabellico peoples, a race of
warriors in search of pastures and fertile lands. Their new territory from Sele
to Lao, on the Tyrrhenian coast and from Crati to Bradano on the Jonian, is
called Lucania and advances on the colonies, damaged by
internal strife, is not adequately revolted. At the beginning of the III B.C
century:
the Romans founded the colonies of Venusia and Grumentum, the Herculian road links them up to the Popilian and Appian
roads. The centers found in inland areas depopulate. Metaponto and Heraclea
become a ‘castrum’ and a small hamlet respectively. The Romans impose the
‘latifundium’ which produced a territory studded with lots of ‘rustic
villas’ leaving their mark on the name of the Basilicata.
One of the best-known rustic villa in Basilicata is Malvaccaro, at
Potenza, with its beautiful mosaics which have been restored recently. The
Amphitheatre can still be admired, the spa baths and the so-called House of Horace found in the
current historical center of Venosa. The Theatre, a Domus
with mosaics and one of the oldest Roman amphitheatres in Italy, are conserved in
the archaeological park of Grumento. The coast of Maratea was intensely
travelled especially in Roman times, as testified by the findings of Civita di
Rivella, Fiumara di Castrocucco, Capo la Secca and Santavenere. Near Castrocucco
and the small island of Santo lanni have been brought to light a large quantity of amphoras, some anchors,
two ‘villae maritmae’ and ground earthenware tubs for the production of ‘garum’.
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