News from Torre Castelluccia in the Gulf of Taranto: re-discovering a key site of the II millennium BC

Excavated in the second half of the XX century, the fortified site of Torre Castelluccia (18 km south-east of Taranto) was continuously occupied since the South Italian Middle Bronze Age (1700 - 1300 BC) until Greek colonization (ca. 700 BC). The site, like other long-lasting settlements in the Gulf of Taranto (e.g., Scoglio del Tonno, Taranto S. Domenico and Porto Perone-Satyrion), stands on a promontory flanked by two natural bays, in a highly accessible and thus privileged landing position. During the excavations, both settlement -set on the hilltop- and funerary areas were unearthed; notably, the Late Bronze age cremation cemetery is in part coeval with the use of one rock-cut chamber (“grotticella”-type) tomb, revealing a complexity of coexisting rituals. Our research combines the recovery of legacy data (diaries, inventories, photos, plans, and drawings) with the renewed study of artifacts. This analysis offers a fresh perspective of the occupation history of Torre Castelluccia, increasing our awareness of the significant role played by this site in the intense communication networks established within the Mediterranean (e.g., Late Bronze Age Mycenaean contacts).