In 2008 the Groningen Institute of Archaeology conducted archaeological excavations in the sanctuary on the Timpone della Motta, Francavilla Marittima in the near vicinity of ancient Sybaris.

The excavations identified a new Archaic temple and extensive related votive deposits in the central part of the sanctuary, which shed more light on the ritual culture as well as the topographical layout of the sanctuary during its most important period- the 6th century BC.

The investigations have revealed an altar situated on a stamped soil floor datable to the first half of the 6th century BC and a foundation trench for a wall. Numerous finds of bronze phialai as well as fragmented drinking and pouring vessels around the structure indicates that acts of libation in connection to fire offerings of meat and possible ritual dining took place in the building. The excavated contexts are notably relevant for the understanding of the 6th century BC phase in the sanctuary since contexts from this period so far have not been submitted to archeo-botanical and archeo-zoological analysis.

The find of a second floor level of late 7th century BC date underneath the temple might suggest the presence of a previous temple building on the same place, the character of which, however, remains unknown.

In respect to the topographical development of the sanctuary the identification of the new temple in the central part of the acropolis illustrates that an already known reconstruction of temples in the western part of the sanctuary during the late 7th and early part of the 6th century BC was accompanied by an architectural expansion towards the eastern premises of the sanctuary.

Further excavations conducted in 2008 revealed a temenos wall of mid 7th century BC date and debris from a subsequent collapse or demolition of the wall, which took place towards the middle of the 6th century BC.