Saturo (TA) – Acropoli. La frequentazione tra VIII secolo a.C. ed età romana tardo-imperiale (campagne di scavo 2014-17)

This paper presents an update of the excavations carried out by Sapienza University of Rome at Saturo (Taranto) – Acropoli, between 2014 and 2017. The new data are contextualized within the historical framework of the Tarantine region, with particular attention to the phases close to Greek colonization, starting from the second half of the VIII century B.C. The new discoveries related to the Japigian settlement, together with the review of the previous excavations carried out on the site in 1959, allow to define more precisely also the main phases of the Greek sanctuary, that remains active until the Hellenistic Age. The discovery of a Roman necropolis on the south-eastern slope of the hill confirms the frequentation of the area in association with the villa maritima on the coast. Finally, the analysis of the botanical remains and the georadar surveys have made it possible to further enhance the obtained results and to plan future interventions.