Nuovi dati sul sistema insediativo della chora katanaia in età arcaica

The archaeological research brought to light a plenty of cultural and topographical data for the understanding of Catania through the Archaic age. However, the knowledge on the settle- ment system development occurred in the Ionian-Etnean area after the colonization age (mid- eighth century BC) is still limited. Thanks to the systematic research carried out in the territory North of Catania, through a program of surface and underwater reconnaissance survey, it is possible to highlight a new picture: indeed, the 30 topographic units identified for the Greek age allow us to understand the early occupation strategies in this territory which extends between the volcano Etna and the Ionian sea. The analysis that is presented deals with the evolution of the settlement system in this sector of the chora during the Archaic period.