Archaeology

The Pulsano area is rich in archaeological evidence of its long history and cultural importance since prehistoric times.

The Pulsano area is rich in archaeological evidence of its long history and cultural importance since prehistoric times. Among the most significant sites is the protohistoric village of Torre Castelluccia, dating from the Neolithic period, with burial mounds and remains of a Middle Bronze and Iron Age settlement, illustrating a continuity of human occupation. Also important are necropolises, such as that of Torre Castelluccia, with inhumation tombs from the 6th millennium B.C.E. and a cave tomb from the Middle to Late Bronze Age, highlighting ancient burial practices and the transition to cremation.

The Greek period marks a phase of intense colonization with the founding of Taranto in 706 B.C. and the expansion of the Greek chora, including Pulsano, evidenced by necropolis and rich grave goods that reflect the integration and cultural evolution of the area. Roman villas along the coast signal the adaptation of the coastal landscape to residential and productive needs, exploiting marine resources for the production of garum and other preserves, highlighting the luxury and prestige of the Roman aristocracy. These archaeological traces not only outline the historical and cultural evolution of Pulsano, but also underscore the importance of the area as a crossroads of civilizations and practices over the millennia.

Grotto Tombs of Luogovivo

Since the early years of the founding of the Spartan colony of Taranto (706 BC), there has been a widespread occupation of the territory surrounding the city, traditionally defined as CHORA, at the expense of the indigenous populations, the Iapygians.

Scoppetta Mill

The Scoppetta Mill of Pulsano is a rare example of Italian industrial archaeology, an excellence of the milling industry of Terra d’Otranto between the late nineteenth and the first half of the twentieth century.

Traces of Roman Settlements

In the Taranto area, evidence of villas is particularly known along the coast. Along the Ionian arc, there were villas of Gandoli, Saturo, Luogovivo, Lido Silvana, Torre Ovo, and Punta Prosciutto.

Torre Castelluccia

Torre Castelluccia is located in the Bosco Caggioni area, on the elevated Pulsano coastal road, detached from the service roads.

Protohistoric Village

In the Torre Castelluccia area, the Neolithic settlement is evidenced by the discovery of 4 mound-type burials referring to an early Neolithic settlement (6th millennium BC), with the presence of impressed and scratched ceramics on the surface, in the immediate coastal hinterland.