Excavations at Satriano: A Deserted Medieval Settlement in Basilicata

The remains of medieval Satriano occupy the acropolis of the Lucanian town, a hilltop site 16 km. south-west of Potenza (Pl. XXVII, a). Like the Lucanian settlement, the medieval site owed its existence to the commanding position of the acropolis, which not only dominates the surrounding countryside, but also overlooks an important route between Campania and Apulia. The valleys of the Tanagro and the Platano (which together join the Sele near Contursi) and of the Basento form a corridor through the mountains from west to east, linking Salerno, Potenza and Taranto, with an alternative route from Potenza to Gravina and Bari (Fig. 1). In addition, the Melandro valley, which joins the Platano west of Vietri, passes to the south of the foot of Satriano acropolis and gives access to Brienza, Grumento and the mountain settlements of north Calabria. Finally, leaving the Salerno-Taranto route at Potenza, an easy track led northwards to Lagopesole, Melfi and the Foggia plain. While Potenza was the pivot of this network of routes, Satriano was also well placed to benefit from contact with the wealthy regions of Campania and Apulia. In an area which produced little or no iron and possessed no deposits of copper or lead, such contact was of considerable importance.