Was it all Greek in Southern Italy? Large numbers of Greek people migrated from the mainland during the first millennium BC and new colonies were established in different areas around the Mediterranean. This colonisation process has mainly been viewed from the Greek perspective, yet evidence shows that local people also had a major influence on cultural development, as Professor Martin Guggisberg explains. Many Greek people
migrated from the mainland to different areas around the Mediterranean during the first half of the first millennium BC, particularly to Italy. These migrants established colonies along the Southern Italian coast, including Paestum and Taranto, and brought with them many aspects of Greek culture. “People spoke Greek, buildings were inspired by Greek architecture and the Greek economic system was adopted. The region became essentially part of the Greek world until the Romans conquered the entire area around the 3rd-2nd century BC,” outlines Martin Guggisberg, Professor of Classical Archaeology at the University of Basle. This process of Greek colonisation has previously been investigated mainly from the Greek point of view, yet evidence shows that the local people weren’t simply absorbing Greek culture. “Evidence from the necropolis of Francavilla Marittima tells us more about the local people. They had their own civilisation – we can see how these two civilisations merge,” says Professor Guggisberg. Grave of an adult man in a crouched position, late 8th - early 7th century BC
Investigating colonial identity This topic is at the heart of Professor Guggisberg’s work as the Principal Investigator of a research project looking at questions around the impact of the Greek colonisation on cultural identity, on both the settlers and the local population. While the Greeks had a marked cultural influence, there is also evidence that many local customs and practices persisted, which Professor Guggisberg says is leading to a shift in perception. “This is changing our view of what happened; from an imperialist perspective, where the Greeks came and took over, to a model of co-existence with the local population,” he explains. There is evidence of cultural interaction from around 800 BC but it was not until later that permanent settlements were established, now Professor Guggisberg and his colleagues are looking to gain deeper insights into the interaction between Greeks and the local, indigenous populations. “We are excavating graves in the necropolis – the cemetery – of Francavilla Marittima, a native settlement situated next to the Greek colony Bronze armlet, pendant and other jewellery of a female burial, 8th century BC
of Sybaris founded at around 710 BC in northern Calabria,” he outlines. There are burials at this site dating back to the 8th century BC and thus to a period prior to the foundation of the Greek colony, with evidence showing that locals were laid to rest with different items, such as jewellery made of bronze and amber as well as iron weapons and tools. This cemetery was used until around the end of the 6th century BC. “We are studying these graves, because we want to better understand the cultural and ethnic identity of these people,” says Professor Guggisberg. Greek settlers and their descendants lived alongside local people in this area, now researchers are analysing archaeological remains to see whether this is reflected in physical evidence from these graves. “We’re analysing teeth, as they are quite well preserved and offer us the opportunity to do anthropological and scientific investigations, such as the determination of tooth abrasion or isotope analyses,” outlines Professor Guggisberg. “Strontium isotopes depend on the food that you ate during your lifetime - they are in the soil, as well as in rocks and water. If you live One-handled drinking cup, 8th century BC
Exploring Identity: Swiss students excavating ancient burials at Francavilla Marittima, Southern Italy.
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