Archaeological investigations have revealed the presence of several walled structures belonging to a rural settlement of Roman date of which several rooms have been excavated, together with a hypocaust, open areas, courtyards and a brick-built well. The alignment of the walls, preserved only at foundation level and built without the use of mortar, seems to follow that of the Roman centuriation which is still visible across this area. Several occupation levels were identified, the latest relating to the villa’s destruction, which does not, however, seem to have interrupted the occupationtion of the area. On the basis of the recorded evidence it is possible to suggest that the main nucleus of the structure was situated further west. The earliest occupation phase, 1st- 2nd centuries A.D., is represented by a hypocaust (a small square room with an opus signinum floor), a well and several small enclosure walls situated to the south. To the north the structure was bounded by a channel on a SW-NE alignment, beyond which there did not appear to be any traces of occupation. The late Roman phase (3rd – 4th centuries A.D.) presented various out-buildings, perhaps destined for use as animal enclosures and small workshops; the structures from the preceding phase continued in use. Between the 5th – 6th centuries and the 7th century A.D. there was a phase of abandonment and degradation and the structures were systematically robbed. Traces of occupation in the area remain in the form of post-holes and cuts perhaps relating to wooden structures, which however had no floor levels. It is planned to extend the investigation to the north in order to clarify the extent and nature of the evidence already identified. (Elena Pettenò)