The Signature
6
Sailors Help Unearth
By MCSN Triniti Lersch, NAS Sigonella Public Affairs
hen this land was confiscated from the Mafia W and bought by a non-profit organization, no one knew that it was sitting on top of an ancient Greek city.
Nostra Signora di Gulfi is a Chiaramonte Gulfi-based non-profit organization that promotes the integration of African migrants, including asylum seekers and refugees, through projects that focus on activities such as farming, food production, various agricultural activities, and craftsmanship. Eventually, they would even support the archaeological dig located on the property. For a few hours a day, the organizations also hosts a small group of inmates from a local juvenile jail. As an alternative to detention, the inmates take part in educational opportunities and community service in order to give them a chance to live more successful lives. There are currently 50 adult asylum seekers, 12 unaccompanied minors seeking asylum, and ten Sicilian juvenile inmates who work with the organization. Originally, they gardened and farmed, but that quickly changed when one of them stumbled upon a grave site. Naval Air Station Sigonella Sailor 360, a leadership training program, partnered with the non-profit organization to help clear debris from the site, which will help create a path and dig through the land that’s believed to be the cemetery of an ancient Greek city. Afterwards, the program showed a video about life on a ship and the juvenile inmates were able to ask the Sailors questions.
“Today’s event is very important because this is a great example for the kids we have in rehabilitation who are here as an alternate to prison,” said Director Gianvito Distefano “So, to see some foreign service members who are committing to helping the Sicilians trace back their ancient origins, it is very meaningful.” The archaeological dig is being conducted under the supervision of the Ragusa historic heritage department for the archaeological assets. Archaeologists and students from the University of Bologna in mainland Italy are also participating. During the group’s time out in the land, they discovered a possible grave site, and although they can’t open it just yet, they were excited to find it. “Today’s goal was to find more graves in the ancient cemetery,” said Dr. Francesco Cardinale, the archaeologist who supervised the NAS Sigonella volunteers. “We actually found a grave today, named number 123, thanks to two Sailors. There was some urgent digging to be done in this part of the excavation site.” “I think today turned out good, with all the good will and good attitude from the people that came out today,” said Sailor 360 Community Relations (COMREL) Coordinator Naval Air Crewman [Mechanical] 1st Class Derek Leach. “Hopefully we can come back at another event later and maybe see some excavations in process. So far it’s been a great day.”
