Girifalco discovery: Roman artifact found after forest fire

An ancient ceramic artifact has been discovered in a forested area of Girifalco, Calabria, following a recent wildfire. The find was located between the localities of Caria and Romano on September 5.

The Archeoclub Toco Caria association identified the object and alerted local Carabinieri. Experts believe the fragment may be the rim of a Roman dolium, a large vessel used in antiquity for the storage and transport of food supplies. Preliminary assessments suggest the artifact could date back to the Greco-Roman period.

The recovery was coordinated with the Soprintendenza Archeologia Belle Arti e Paesaggio di Catanzaro e Crotone, which authorized the removal and securing of the item. The artifact is currently held temporarily by the Mayor of Girifalco, Mario Deonofrio. Further technical examinations will be conducted in collaboration with the Carabinieri Tutela Patrimonio Culturale (TPC) of Cosenza to confirm the exact nature and dating of the find.