A joint excavation involving the Archaeological Superintendency, the Faculty of Christian and Medieval Archaeology, University of Calabria (Prof. G. Roma) and volunteers from the “Kyniskos” section of the Gruppo Archeologico del Pollino (G.A.I.). Castello della Rocca (551m a.s.l) is situated on a rocky outcrop on the slopes of Monte Mula (1981m a.s.l). It overlooks the gorge of the torrent Rosa, a tributary of the river Esaro, and the historic centre of San Sosti. During the season, detailed digital surveys of the structures were made and five small trenches opened. The aim was to investigate the various phases of this fortified complex. The origins of the rocca probably date to X-XI century, as the presence of byzantine coins of Michael II and Basil II suggests. It went out of use in the second half of the XIII century. There is a wealth of numismatic evidence from the Angevin (Charles I and Charles II of Anjou) periods. Castelli Tornesi of the Latin East datable to XIII-XIV century are attested. Roman occupation of the site is attested by the presence of sigillata pottery of the I-II centuries A.D., greek occupation by finds, both in and around the castle, of miniature ceramic votives dating to the VI-V centuries B.C. particularly hydriskai of the type with a flat base and “heel” shaped foot. The castle was probably built on a previous building, perhaps a greek phrourion, outpost of Thuri Where the excavation reached bed-rock, part of an apsidal hut came to light. The impasto pottery found here dates to the end Bronze age (XI-X century), but also materials of mid Bronze age (XVI century)are present.
The investigations carried out in the castle, along with those in the church of Carmine di San Sosti, open new perspectives on the archaeological interpretation of the area and the possibility of discovering the exact find spot of the famous bronze axe (now in the British Museum) found in the territory in 1846. (Domenico Marino)