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Ongoing excavations at Halaesa Arconidea, in Tusa, Sicily, have revealed one of the island’s largest Roman thermal complexes to date, showing the luxurious facilities at the ancient city. The city was founded in 403 BC on a hill overlooking the Tyrrhenian coast and the valley of the river Tusa, and was one of the first of the Sicilian cities to side with Rome during the First Punic War.
The finding, announced on October 6, 2024, follows the fifth excavation campaign conducted by the University of Palermo in collaboration with the Archaeological Park of Tindari and the Municipality of Tusa.
Uncovering a Monumental Roman Bath Complex
The excavation has revealed a thermal complex spanning approximately 800 square meters (8,611 square feet), making it one of the largest baths ever found in Sicily.
Key features include two rooms with mosaic floors, as well as a courtyard with porticoed wings, which likely served as social spaces for the city’s elite, notes a release from Regione Siciliana.
The richness of the baths’ decoration, combined with its size, highlights its significance both as a communal center and as a testament to Roman architectural prowess in the region.
Mosaics in the newly discovered Roman baths at Halaesa Arconidea. (Regione Siciliana/Università degli Studi di Palermo)
The newly discovered baths form part of a larger monumental complex, previously unknown to archaeologists. This complex includes a network of streets and an additional stretch of the city’s fortifications, offering fresh insights into the layout and infrastructure of Halaesa Arconidea during its Hellenistic and Roman phases.
Significance of the Find for Sicilian History
Domenico Targia, interim director of the Tindari Archaeological Park, emphasized the importance of this discovery, noting that it sets the stage for a deeper understanding of ancient Halaesa Arconidea’s development. The site’s unique thermal complex stands out not only for its decorative richness but also for its dimensions, positioning it among the largest Roman baths in Sicily.
In light of these discoveries, efforts are already being made to safeguard the site for future generations. Restoration and preservation works are scheduled to ensure the site’s continued study and eventual public display, offering visitors a glimpse into Sicily’s rich ancient past.
Halaesa Arconidea: A Strategic and Prosperous Roman Ally
Halaesa Arconidea, founded in 403 BC and now modern-day Tusa, holds a prominent place in Sicily’s history. During the First Punic War (264-241 BC), it became one of the first Sicilian cities to align itself with Rome. This alliance afforded the city special privileges, including exemptions from taxes and agricultural tithes, as well as political autonomy. After Rome’s conquest of Syracuse in 212 BC, Halaesa Arconidea was recognized as one of the five “civitates liberae et immunes” on the island—cities free from tribute obligations and enjoying legal independence.
The city’s prosperity continued into the Roman Imperial period, gaining the status of municipium before the death of Augustus in AD 14. This made Halaesa Arconidea a significant commercial and economic hub in the region, and the newly uncovered thermal baths may have played a central role in the social life of its citizens.
Other structures, streets, and fortifications uncovered in Halaesa Archonidea. (Regione Siciliana/Università degli Studi di Palermo)
Future Implications and Conservation Efforts
The ongoing excavation and study of Halaesa Arconidea promise to yield further discoveries that will reshape our understanding of the ancient city’s layout and daily life. Targia’s commitment to the preservation and valorization of the site ensures that these important historical findings will be protected, offering scholars and tourists alike an opportunity to explore one of Sicily’s most significant archaeological treasures.
Top image: Newly discovered Roman thermal baths in the ancient city of Halaesa Archonidea. Source: Regione Siciliana/Università degli Studi di Palermo
By Gary Manners