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Daunia and Peucetia

An itinerary which moves in the north of Apulia following the footsteps of Dauni and Peuceti.

I Pannoni Archaeological Park, Cagnano Varano (Foggia): a few meters from the Lagoon of Varano, were discovered some artifacts in nearby caves, probably dating to the V - VII century AD. Other caves may have been dug during the late middle Ages. Others, however, were created in the XVIII and XIX century of AD.

Pirro Nord Archaeological excavations, Apricena (Foggia): until now it has been assumed that the colonization of Europe by African hominids had been made by crossing the Strait of Gibraltar. This hypothesis, however, was significantly affected by the discoveries made in Apricena, and precisely in the Erba cave, in the area called Pirro Nord, where many fossils were found. The fossils were made of more than 100 different species, and are attributed to higher Villafranchiano (corresponding to the high Pliocene) dating between 1.7 and 1.3 million years ago. There were also found stone tools, currently the oldest evidence of human presence in Europe. This finds have reopen the debate about the idea that man has come to Europe from the East, perhaps through the northern Adriatic Sea during a glacial phase occurred in the Pleistocene era.

Roman Amphitheatre, Lucera (Foggia): the Roman Amphitheatre date back to the I century AD and is among the oldest in southern Italy. It was built in honor of the Roman colony of Lucera and Caesar Augustus. The amphitheater, with its elliptical structure, is distinguished by its large size, demonstrating the importance that this city had, once capital of the rich Daunia and a military stronghold.

Faragola Archaeological Park, Ascoli Satriano (Foggia): this rural site is located in the territory of Ascoli Satriano, the ancient Ausculum, famous for being the scene of the war between Pyrrhus and the Romans in 279 BC. The site records several settlements in several stages ranging from the Daunia settlement (V-III century BC.) until the early Middle Ages (VII-VIII century AD). An important moment in history is the Late Ancient Age (IV-VI sec. AD), when a sumptuous villa certainly belonged to a rich senatorial family was built.

Colossus, Barletta (Barletta-Andria-Trani): on the left side of the Basilica of the Santo Sepolcro it stands the Colossus, a bronze statue of a little over 5 m, which is thought to date back to the period between the late IV and early V century AD. It is a fine examples of large statues, which was very common in late antiquity. The statue evidently depicts an emperor (perhaps Valentinian I, 364-375, or according to other studies, Theodosius II, 401-450), identifiable from his imperial diadem and his commanding gesture that invokes the act of delivering a speech, with his right arm raised, holding a cross.

Jatta National Archaeological Museum, Ruvo di Puglia (Bari): the Museum is located in the homonymous Palazzo built in neoclassical style, and holds fine specimens of Greek and Apulian art. In the last room is located the largest vase of the collection, the Attic crater with red-figure, made by the painter Talos, dating back to the last quarter of the V century BC.

“Ettore Pomarici-Santomasi” Foundation Museum Gravina in Puglia (Bari): the “Ettore Pomarici-Santomasi” Foundation hosts the Archive, the Library and the Museum. On the ground floor has been recreated the rupestrian church of San Vito Vecchio featuring Byzantine frescoes. In the entrance there are several architectural elements belonging to different periods, including chamber tombs, capitals from the archaeological area of Botromagno, ancient slabs and lintels. On the first floor you can visit the Library, the Archives and the family residence. The second floor hosts the archeological exhibition, comprising around 2000 artifacts, the Art Gallery, the numismatic collection, which includes 1608 coins belonging to the Magna Graecia period, and an exhibition of weapons and uniforms displayed in chronological order.

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