Between 2004 and 2006 three excavation campaigns were undertaken at the Villa del Casale at Piazza Armerina. As a result the Arab-Norman settlement, built on top of and around the noted late antique residence, was brought to light.

The excavated structures can be attributed to three main occupation phases: the first dating to between the end of the 10th century – beginning of the 11th century, a second phase in the Norman period (11th century) and a third phase falling between the end of the Norman period and the beginning of the Svevan domination (end of the 11th – first half of the 12th century). As regards the earliest phases, the first occupation evidence on the site dates to the late Roman period and there are some traces of Byzantine date. Finally, there is evidence of sporadic occupation in the post-medieval period (14th – 15th century).

The excavated area revealed domestic structures made up of rectangular rooms arranged in the same way as plans that are known from other medieval Sicilian contexts such as Segesta and Monte Iato. The complex known as the “house with courtyard” is of particular interest, with its series of rooms placed around a central open area. The courtyard provided access to all the rooms and was used as a work area: roofed hearths were found in the proximity of a room used for the storage of dry food stuffs.

The settlement’s craft working area was situated in the zone nearest the river Gela, as attested by finds relating to pottery making and metalworking activities.
Over time the structures in the residential area suffered changes due to the frequent floods which devastated the area causing collapses and landslides; the reconstruction technique generally consisted in the reuse of existing walls that were levelled as necessary.