The sanctuary of Venus Erycina in Erice (Sicily).

• Applicant: Dr. Chiara Blasetti Fantauzzi
• Subject Area: Classical, Roman, Christian and Islamic Archaeology
• Term: since 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 507701222

The aim of the research project is to study the diachronic development of the sanctuary of Venus Erycina at Erice in Western Sicily. The focus is on the analysis of the construction and use phases of the sanctuary as well as the topographical and natural conditions relevant for its development.Outside Elymian Eryx between the territories of Phoenicians and Greeks, the goddess Aphrodite/Astarte/Venus was worshipped in the sanctuary continuously from the 6th century BC to the 1st century AD. Written and epigraphic sources attest to both the local and supra-regional importance of the sanctuary. Thus, the sanctuary of Venus Erycina has a special position among Sicilian sanctuaries. Nevertheless, studies on it remain a desideratum of archaeological research. The available results of earlier, mainly historiographic research do not allow any conclusions to be drawn on chronological development of the sanctuary.The remains of the sanctuary are located in the courtyard of a Norman castle and were partially excavated at the beginning of the 20th century. The monumental ancient structures discovered have not yet been thoroughly studied. Within the framework of this project, the state of knowledge about the sanctuary of Venus Erycina and its chronology will be significantly improved by new, targeted excavations as well as a comprehensive architectural survey. Preliminary work revealed a hitherto unknown Late Archaic and an important Roman phase of the sanctuary. In addition, it was possible to identify areas that were not affected by the construction of the castle and earlier excavations. Undisturbed stratigraphy and structures of the ancient sanctuary are expected there. A new plan with all known remains which will be dated through the excavations, as well as all structures which will be revealed by the new excavations, will serve as a basis to prepare substantiated phase plans for the first time. In addition, a central focus is on the natural characteristics in the vicinity of the sanctuary as well as the use of resources, in particular water, in order to clarify their significance for the development of the sanctuary.A monograph will be the result of the entire research carried out within the project. By presenting the data on the sanctuary of Venus Erycina and reconstructing its development from the archaic to the early Imperial period, this project will provide the basis for further research on the socio-historical significance of the sanctuary, on the cultural exchange between Elymians, Greeks, Carthaginians and Romans as well as the treatment of allochthonous deities in general.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants