The settlement in the district of Grammena – Valcorrente near Belpasso (Ct) between Late Antiquity and Early Middle Ages (POSTER)

The archaeological survey, carried out by the Superintendence of Catania in 2007, has unearthed a Roman farm, characterized by multiple life stages (3rd-7th centuries AD), in the area of a previous Hellenistic settlement (4th-2nd centuries BC). A basilica with three aisles and a narthex was built, in late-Byzantine ages (8th-first half of 9th century AD), partially destroying the farm’s remains and those one of a later frequentation of the area (8th century AD). The basilica was modified several times, then transformed into an amorphous deposit of stones. The plan (21.90 m E/W x 16.60 m N/S) is framed in a 5x4 squares arithmetic form that includes the narthex and the apse, with a 2:1 ratio for the width of the nave from the aisles, and a metric base dimensioned according to a foot of m. 0.2964, with a base module of m. 4.15 corresponding to 14 ft. This plant is similar to Sicilian religious buildings traditionally dated between 5th and 6th century AD. and thus proves to be anchored to the building tradition of Late Antiquity. The centrality of the settlement (not far from the Roman aqueduct that crossed this area and beside a long-distance road network in use from Roman to Late Middle ages) explains the continuity of life of a settlement which was clearly the junction of this area.