The Collection
The history of Hippana comes alive in our museum.
The museum houses and preserves most of the artefacts found during the various excavations carried out in the area of Montagna dei Cavalli and attributed to the ancient city of Hippana.
These artefacts are housed in the museum’s archaeological section in which the results of the research, carried out in Montagna dei Cavalli, are illustrated through a pathway of educational panels and thanks to a significant selection of findings. Among the most significant findings, there are two silver-gilt diadems, found several years ago by grave robbers in the western necropolis and recovered by the Superintendency, and a small medal table displaying all the coins found in the settlement.
These include some rare coins with the inscription IPA, which can be traced back to the mint of Hippana, those of Punic issuance in bronze, and those showing horses and palm, running horses and male heads.
In the central room, it is also possible to admire many findings (achromatic and figured pottery, small terracotta statues, everyday life vases, etc.) handed by Prizzi’s citizens over last decades, coming from clandestine excavations in necropolis of Hippana, occurred in the 1950s and in the 1960s. Finally, some showcases are dedicated to a selection of findings, from other archaeological sites in the territory of Prizzi, which bears witness to the continuity of life and the millenary history of this area.
Skyphoid pyxis with red figures
Hemispherical lid with large moulded knob. Body and lid entirely in black paint.
On the body of the vase, there are: on side A, a cloaked female figure seated on the left, one flap of the tunic leaves one of her breasts uncovered. Hairstyle with chiffon; left hand folded forward in the act of holding a large patera. Behind the figure, a column.
On side B, a naked male figure on left in dance step; body bent forward in the act of holding a cup/pattern. Behind the figure, a sort of scarf. The figures are framed between two large palmettes at the handles. Just above the foot, there is a wave motif. The lid is decorated with an incised branch to which reserved ivy leaves are attached. On the rim, a reserved band, decorated with black dots.
Second half 4th cent. B.C.
Black glazed terracotta feeding bottle (Guttus)
A small ampoule used to pour liquids. It was used to pour oil in lamps and as infant feeding vessel.
Cylindrical body with convex and recessed profile walls. In the upper part, a Medusa’s head in relief and, in correspondence with its mouth, a cylindrical spout with flared circular end. Flat base slightly recessed. Small vertical ribbon-like handle.
3rd cent. B.C.
Red-figured Lekane
Hemispherical bowl with keel on the outside and bifid rim; moulded trumpet foot; horizontal ribbon-like handles with side appendages. Lid with distinct rim and sloping inside. Circular moulded knob with cylindrical stem. Vertical sections of black paint on the upper part of the reserved bowl. On the lid, two female heads on the left framed between two palmettes present crown, on the hair gathered in a sakkos, earrings and necklace overpainted in white. On the knob, palmette and wave motif on the rim.
Second half 4th cent. B.C.
Polychrome glass (Alabastron)
Used in the ancient world for storing oil and perfumes. Horizontal disc-shaped rim, cylindrical body and convex bottom, two small side handles. Decoration consisting of two yellow and white filaments running from top to bottom around the blue body.
3rd cent. B.C.
Black-figured lekythos
It is a shape between a jug and a bottle, with a high and flared rim, a narrow neck, a cylindrical body and a vertical handle. It had the function of containing ointments and perfumed creams and was therefore very frequent in funerary contexts.
Depicting scenes of combat.
4th cent. B.C.
Ointment jars with narrow funnel-shaped
Fusiform jars with narrow funnel-shaped openings that contained fragrant essences such as oils, ointments, and cosmetic creams.
Second half 4th – first half 3rd cent. B.C.
Female terracotta bust
Found sporadically in the western necropolis, in fragments, the face framed by a hair pulled back, with a braid falling over the shoulder, has been almost entirely preserved.
This is an elegant product of Greek coroplast.
dating from the 4th cent. B.C.
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