Circello (Benevento) – The ancient heart of Sannio continues to reveal precious pages of its history. New archaeological discoveries enrich the already known settlement of the Ligures Baebiani, in the Macchia area of the Circello district.
Geophysical surveys conducted on approximately five hectares of land have revealed previously unseen structures, suggesting that the Roman site may extend over a much larger area—perhaps up to 20 hectares—and still hide many secrets.
The excavation campaign—promoted by the Municipality of Circello in collaboration with the Superintendency of Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape for the provinces of Benevento and Caserta—benefits from high-profile international collaboration, thanks to the involvement of the Freie Universität of Berlin and the University of Hamburg.
A joint team of Italian and foreign archaeologists and university students worked in the field for weeks, drawing up a new map of the ancient Roman settlement.
New structures emerged from the subsoil
To the already known structures – including two thermal complexes, a small temple and a street lined with shops (tabernae) – are now added:
The extension of the main road, a sign of a more complex urban fabric;
Probably residential buildings, still under study;
A new square, flanked by other tabernae to the southwest;
Further road axes with buildings to the north-east.
The strategic value of the area
The site of the Ligures Baebiani is known for being one of the few documented examples of Romanization through the deportation of Ligurian populations in the 2nd century BC. These discoveries contribute to better delineating the urban, social and economic structure of this colonial settlement, offering new keys to understanding the dynamics of cultural integration and rural development in the Roman era.
"The Superintendency," stated Simone Foresta, the official in charge, "has enthusiastically supported the project, fostering interaction between Italian institutions and foreign universities. Circello is now back at the center of international scientific attention for the quality and originality of its archaeological finds."
The project also has strong civic and identity-building value for the local community. "Reviving and revitalizing Macchia," explained Mayor Gianclaudio Golia, supported by Deputy Mayor Gabriele Iarusso, "is one of the key objectives of our administration. We are doing so gradually, but with solid ideas, thanks to the support of prestigious scientific partners and cultural institutions. The new discoveries open up concrete prospects for enhancing the area and its history."
Surface analyses suggest that the area occupied by the Roman settlement may have been four times larger than previously known. The next phases of the research will focus on in-depth stratigraphy, with possible new excavation campaigns aimed at verifying the urban planning hypotheses and systematically documenting the entire complex.
Meanwhile, Circello presents itself as an open-air archaeological laboratory, where history meets research and the territory rediscovers an ancient identity to tell the world.
The archaeological discoveries in Circello are very interesting and certainly add value to the area's history. It would be helpful to have more information about upcoming excavations and how they will impact the local community in the future.