Archaeologists have unearthed two “exceptional” temples, estimated to be 2,400 years old, in a historic ancient city in southern Italy.
According to a press release from Italy's Ministry of Culture, two Doric Greek temples have been discovered in the western part of Italy's ancient city of Poseidonia Paestum.
Officials said the archaeological sight would shed light on the origins and urban development of Magna Graeciapolis, a coastal region in southern Italy.
Officials said the two large temples were located close to the city walls and several hundred meters from the sea.
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Two ancient temples of Paestum seen from above. (Italian Ministry of Culture)
Tiziana D'Angelo, director of the Archaeological Park of Paestum and Veria, said the temples record multiple stages of construction 2,400 years ago.
“These exceptional discoveries add another fundamental part to the reconstruction of the ancient history of the Magna Graecia colony of Poseidonia, a protected area located in a border region near the coast where the colonists themselves arrived. “It records multiple stages of construction. It is decades old and was built in the archaic era, before cities had defensive circuits,” D'Angelo said.
General view of the temple of Poseidon or Neptune in the Magnogreek city of Poseidonia Paestum, Paestum, Italy, January 14, 2024. (Ivan Romano/Getty Images)
Officials say the first temples may date back to the first decades of the 5th century. century BC, but research seems to date back even further.
The first temple measured 11.60 x 7.60 meters and had a peristasis of 4 x 6 columns.
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Archaeologists found fragments of an even older temple inside the structure, officials said.
Older temples date back to the 6th century BC
The archaeological site is approximately 260 miles southeast of Rome, Italy. (Italian Ministry of Culture)
D'Angelo said excavation of the temple is nearly complete and the park plans to make the newly excavated ruins accessible to visitors.
“This is a complex excavation site that requires the cooperation of archaeologists, conservators, engineers, architects and geologists,” D'Angelo said. “While excavation activities will soon conclude, we are already working on creating new routes to make this important sanctuary accessible to the public.”
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Paestum is located along the southern coast of Italy, approximately 260 miles southeast of Rome.
