Kaulonia Urban Excavation (KUE)

In 2025, the Institute of Classical Archaeology at the University of Vienna, in collaboration with Directorate of the Museo e Parco Archeologico dell’Antica Kaulon, embarked on a new campaign of excavations at the site of ancient Kaulonia (Calabria, Italy). 

The site is known today for its finely-decorated silver coinage, the impressive remains of the Doric temple at Punta Stilo, and the remains of several wealthy houses from the Hellenistic period featuring important mosaic finds. Yet in antiquity Kaulonia was one of the region’s smaller poleis, often controlled by its larger neighbours as well as bylarger imperial powers.

The ‘Kaulonia Urban Excavation’ project has two main aims:

1.    To undertake detailed scientific excavation of domestic remains within the urban area of ancient Kaulonia, with particular attention to environmental data, so as to shed new light on the daily lives of local families in this culturally mixed community;
2.    To explore the earliest levels of the settlement, so as to learn more about the nature of its foundation and first occupation.

Our first season of excavation in 2025 uncovered parts of a late Hellenistic house and workshop area; as well as an open courtyard space. We look forward to returning in 2026.