A newly discovered stretch of ancient fortifications and relics from a legendary siege have confirmed dramatic episodes from the Punic Wars, according to archaeologists working in southern Italy.
In the town of Cupa, near Ugento at the southeastern tip of Italy, excavations have brought to light massive walls from the ancient city of Messapia, along with remnants of a brutal siege carried out by Roman forces. During the Second Punic War, in the late 3rd century BCE, Messapia sided with Hannibal, prompting Rome to lay siege to the rebellious city.
The excavation project, led by Dr. Giuseppe Scardozzi from the Laboratory of Archaeological Cartography at the CNR ISPC, ran from April 7 to June 6, 2025.
Researchers uncovered over 170 meters of ancient defensive walls, including a remarkably well-preserved corner bastion. In addition, more than 450 lead sling bullets and nine iron arrowheads were unearthed — clear evidence of Roman siege weaponry.
Findings confirm that the walls were initially constructed around the mid-4th century BCE and expanded decades later to reach an impressive width of about seven meters at their strongest points. The original fortifications consisted of a limestone and soil core, known as emplecton, flanked by two layers of dried limestone sandstone. In the early 3rd century BCE, with Rome’s growing power, an additional outer and inner layer reinforced the walls to strengthen the city’s defenses.
One of the arrowheads that was discovered (Photo: CNR Institute of Cultural Heritage Sciences SABAP LE).
The Best-Preserved Bastion and Surviving Sections
The best-preserved stretch lies between S. Francesco and Bolzano streets, featuring a bastion still standing at 1.80 meters tall. Another area near the junction with Giannuzzi Street preserves three to four rows of stone masonry.
Lead ‘Bullets’ and Ancient Catapults
Yet, these sturdy fortifications ultimately fell to Rome’s military might. Near the corner of the wall, archaeologists found a layer packed with lead sling bullets known as ghiande missili — literally “lead acorns” — which Roman troops used for short-range attacks. Among these were also arrowheads fired from “scorpios,” an early version of the catapult, indicating a heavy bombardment during the siege.
The Beginning of the End
The defeat of the Messapians, who allied with Hannibal, marked the beginning of the wall’s decline. By the 2nd century BCE, sections were systematically dismantled to repurpose the stones for new buildings — a practice that gradually reduced the once-formidable fortifications to a humble quarry. This reuse pattern, familiar from previous digs, was confirmed once more at Cupa, where clear signs of stone removal are visible on collapsed wall faces.
Combining Tradition and Cutting-Edge Technology
This project merges classic excavation techniques with advanced technologies. Geophysical surveys conducted in 2024 by Dr. Giovanni Leucci’s team at CNR-ISPC’s Geophysics Laboratory in Lecce guided the placement of trial trenches that ultimately revealed these remarkable finds.
One of the ancient Roman lead projectiles (Photo: CNR Institute of Cultural Heritage Sciences SABAP LE).
Unlocking New Clues to the Punic Wars
All materials are now under careful study and are expected to shed new light on this pivotal chapter of the Second Punic War — a conflict during which Rome relentlessly crushed rebellious cities across southern Italy, reshaping the balance of power in the entire Mediterranean.
While experts continue to analyze the artifacts, the Ugento city council, which renewed its research partnership with the CNR in February, is taking steps to turn the site into a museum and educational center dedicated to the war that transformed the ancient world.
