Ultime ricognizioni nelle catacombe di Venosa e alla Collina della Maddalena, 2023-2024

Recent surveys in the Catacombs of Venosa and at the Maddalena Hill, 2023-2024

As part of the ongoing Venusia Judaica Project (PRIN 2022), in 2023-2024 a comprehensive topographical and archaeological survey was conducted on the Maddalena Hill in Venosa. This survey aimed to document and locate in their topographical context not just the Jewish catacomb areas, but also the other catacombs and hypogea scattered around the hill. In the paper there are presented the first results of these thorough investigations, which significantly enhance the understanding both of previously-known sites and those lesser known. Additionally, during the survey Authors identified also hypogea previously undocumented in scientific literature, some of them bearing traces of architectural elements, painted decorations and engravings. In the upper Jewish catacomb some areas currently difficult to access, due to collapses, were also explored. The actual state of the places has been verified and a detailed epigraphic recognition was carried out.