Reggio Calabria: Ancient Greek remains surface beneath Piazza

Find under Piazza Garibaldi: possible Greek-period structure

On the final day of the excavation campaign at Piazza Garibaldi in Reggio Calabria, archaeologists uncovered evidence that may indicate the presence of a structure from the Greek period. The discovery came unexpectedly in the scheduled closing phases of the works and was reported by the project's scientific direction.

The fieldwork is coordinated by Fabrizio Sudano, director of the Archaeological Museum and scientific head of the project. Earlier campaigns in the same area had already brought to light remains of a Roman small temple dated between the 1st century BC and the 1st century AD, suggesting the site functioned as a local cult center in Roman times.

What was found and its significance

• Traces of a possible Hellenic structure currently under stratigraphic and chronological assessment.
• Layering that confirms the site's continued use across subsequent periods, including Roman occupation with the previously identified temple.
• Potential implications for understanding the urban and ritual landscape of the ancient settlement.

The scientific direction has formally requested an extension of the excavations beyond the planned end date, deeming further investigation necessary to establish the function, dating and relationship between the uncovered structures. Archaeologists warn that halting work now could mean losing critical information about the site.

Next steps and practical information

• Extension of fieldwork to complete stratigraphic analysis and collect samples for dating.
• Specialist study of recovered materials and comparative research with regional sites.
• Until further notice, the excavation area remains restricted to authorized personnel; any public visits or guided tours will be announced later.

The find has the potential to significantly increase the archaeological value of the Piazza Garibaldi area, providing new evidence for human activity and religious practices across different periods. Official updates will be released after the ongoing analyses are completed.