Saturo, Archaeological site in Leporano, Italy.
Saturo is an archaeological site on the Ionian coast of southern Italy that reveals remains from multiple ancient periods of settlement. The area between Porto Perone and Porto Saturo contains foundations of houses, temples, and workshops arranged across the landscape in layers that show how communities changed over time.
Settlement began in prehistoric times and people continuously moved in and out of this location across many centuries. The arrival of seafaring peoples from the eastern Mediterranean brought new trade networks and ways of living that transformed the community.
The site served as a meeting point for different civilizations traveling the Ionian coast, and this cultural exchange left marks in the buildings and objects people left behind. Visitors walking through can observe how various groups adapted to life in this Mediterranean location over time.
The site is open to walk through, but the ground is uneven and partly overgrown, so sturdy shoes and careful footing are important. There is little shade available, so bring sun protection and water, especially during warm months.
Pottery fragments and metal tools found during excavations bear marks from regions over 600 miles (1000 kilometers) away, showing that traders regularly passed through. This small coastal settlement was far more connected to distant places than its size would suggest.
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