Summary (300-500 words) with the author(s): In 2021 the Rome Department of the German Archaeological Institute started a new collaborative project on the urban morphology of Selinunte in a spatially comprehensive and diachronic perspective. Its objective is to complement the renowned schematic plan of the archaic and classical Greek city with a multilayered model that also considers the settlements development, gentle transformations and structural breaks through time. This is particularly important in view of the changeful history of the site. The goal is pursued with a combination of survey methods and conservative excavations, in particular is
- the University of Kiel investigating the overgrown dune located in the central spot between the acropolis and the agora with ground penetrating radar. This area was so far inaccessible to conventional methods. They are also looking at the Modione Valley and the relationship between the city and the river with a multi-sensory approach.
- Geoarchaeological sediment coring complements the geophysical investigations and accompanies or precedes the small scale stratigraphic excavations conducted by the German Archaelogical Institute.
- The University of Palermo is conducting the first intensive intra-site survey at Selinunte. They are looking at the surface finds in more remote parts of the city to discuss forms of use and utilization phases by evaluating their quantity and quality.
- The German archaeological Institute is conducting a series of stratigraphic excavations in areas that received so far less attention, such as the Northern Hill and the Western City. The purpose is to investigate the development of the Greek city, its destructions and subsequent use in different points without focusing on larger complexes or specific functional entities.
The results of all these initiatives taken together will add a variety of information to the actual data situation and improve our knowledge of the settlements structural and social development through time. The data will be gathered in a Geographic Information System for contextualization and visualization.