In the area known as Fondo Torre, the presence of an ancient building had been detected as early as the early 1900s.

Stratigraphic archaeological investigations were begun in 2006 by the University of Salento, and a subsequent excavation campaign was conducted between 2016 and 2017, led by Professor Giovanni Mastronuzzi.

Based on the unearthed evidence, it is possible to date a structure to the Messapian period, 4th-3rd century BC. It consists of a large ring of trapezoidal limestone blocks, arranged in concentric rows, containing a huge dry stone filling. This filling is all that survives of a specchia, an artificial hill, dating back to the Middle Bronze Age (17th-16th century BC), which was later recovered and monumentalized by the Messapians.

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The architectural complex has a diameter of 24.5 meters, but it is difficult to calculate its ancient height. The large stone cone could have reached 6 meters, and it is highly likely that an additional wooden structure was placed at its summit.

 

The main function of this tower was to ensure control of the territory between the Messapian cities of Muro Leccese and Vaste.

During the excavations, several fragments of locally produced tableware from the 4th and 3rd centuries BC and a small amount of impasto pottery from the Bronze Age were found.