Il sito archeologico di Monte Castelluccio a Itri (Latina, Lazio meridionale)

Abstract

The archaeological site on the top of Monte Castelluccio (Itri, Southern Lazio) outstands for its visible structures and its
prominent position in the southern outcrop of the Aurunci towards the see between Sperlonga and Gaeta. The rests on
the hilltop, probably as part of a big villa articulated in two or more pavilions, are likely to have been frequented for a
consistent period of time, whilst at the same time being object of renovations which also seem to mark changes in what
was the designated use of the building. The importance of its position in the landscape is also addressed by the presence
of other historical landmarks which share the same toponym of “Castelluccio” (tr. “small castle”) as well as its other
main features: the presence of roman and latter structures; the elevated position allowing control on large portions of the
landscape and on the communication routes; a long persistence of occupation. This paper give a first description of the
buildings on the hilltop of Monte Castelluccio and bring some hypothesis about their destination, trying to understand
and describe the main building phases and its functional features by the mean of a superficial survey of the structures
and their surroundings.