Conventazzo (Torrenova, Italy) - Archaelogy and History

Sicilian scholars were among the first contributors in the field of Byzantine archaeology and settlement-studies towards the end of the 19th century. This leading position was not maintained afterwards, on the contrary. Medieval archaeology successfully excavated several sites of the "Latin" and Arabic civilisation in the western parts of the island during the last 30 years, but it did not stimulate till now parallel enterprises in eastern, Greek- Byzantine dominated Sicily. The present project "Conventazzo (Torrenova, Italy) - Archaeology and History" will be a first contribution of this kind, based on a five-year-license for archaeological research granted by the regional authorities and using modern technology of prospect (geo-radar). Byzantine Studies, Medieval Archaeology and Art History work together to reconstruct history and material culture of a monastic economy-unit from its late antique beginnings (villa of an estate) to the closing Middle Ages. This interdisciplinary programm is embedded in a survey of the surrounding Val-Demone area. The extant monuments will be documented on the approved pattern of the Tabula Imperii Byzantini; special attention will be devoted to the octogon-building still conserved within the central excavation-area (approx. 115 km west of Messina), where a detailled where a detailled analysis is planned.

When Byzantine Studies became a university discipline towards the end of the 19th century, important contributions about historical topography and archeological findings came from Sicily, which was one of the regions that once belonged to the Empire of Constantinople (395-1453 AD). Our project aimed at a modernized revival of this tradition, focussing on the former monastery of San Pietro di Deca (Torrenova, province of Messina). It is attested by written documents from the 12th century onwards, but accidental findings in the area point to origins already in late antiquity. Excavations in 2002-2004 confirmed this assumption. In 2001 a georadar- analysis had revealed residential and economic buildings, probably part of a roman "villa rustica"; excavations showed that it was in use up to the seventh century. Nearby two churches one on top of the other with apses were uncovered in 2002-2004. A connecting link of all this structures exists up to our times: the so-called Conventazzo, an outside octogonal, inside circular and domed building with eight niches. Architectural and photogrametric investigations revealed several phases of construction and conversion, till the Conventazzo was connected to the church. The whole site of San Pietro di Deca was a settlement and religious centre for more than thousend years from antiquity up to the 17th century. The rich and for some periods scarce findings there offer a rare insight into historical and economic developments of such places, which shaped agrarian living conditions during former times.