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OSTIA ARCHAEOLOGICAL NEWS |
| Archaeological news about Ostia and its territory. |
11 July 2010 - Discovery of a very wide channel on the Isola SacraThe Portus Project claims the discovery of a very wide channel on the Isola Sacra, between Ostia and Portus.
Source: The Daily Telepgraph, 11 July 2010.
1 May 2010 - Discovery of tombsIn April a few remains of tombs were discovered in the modern village Ostia Antica, during maintenance work. The place of discovery is the Parco dei Ravennati, near Via Gesualdo, to the east of the mediaeval Borgo. The masonry structures may belong to the second half of the first century AD. Remains of both inhumation and cremation were found. Of particular importance is the study of the skeletons. The deceased, mostly men, appear to have belonged to a very low social level, in view of the many signs of skeletal disorders caused by biomechanical stress, attributed to particularly heavy employment.
Source: RomaNotizie, 23 April 2010; Il Messaggero, 23 April 2010; Il Tempo, 24 April 2010.
1 January 2010 - The Soprintendenza is no moreThe Soprintendenza di Ostia Antica has ceased to exist. It has been merged with the Soprintendenza of Rome. You can still read our (outdated) page about the situation before October 2009.
4 October 2009 - An amphitheatre in PortusIn Portus a small amphitheatre has been found. The Portus Project has a page with links to articles about the discovery.
7 May 2009 - A new special commissioner for Rome and OstiaGuido Bertolaso resigned on 30 April 2009 as special commissioner for Rome and Ostia, so that his office of Civil Protection in Italy can focus on the critical earthquake recovery efforts in the Abruzzo Region. He was replaced with the Italian architect Roberto Cecchi, who is also Italy's current Direttore generale per i Beni Architettonici, Storico Artistici ed Etnoantropologici.
Source: La Repubblica, 6 May 2009.
21 March 2009 - Special commissioner for Rome and OstiaThe Italian government has appointed a special commissioner for Rome and Ostia. His name is Guido Bertolaso. In the past he handled the Naples garbage crisis. His term expires on 31 December 2009. According to the government there is an emergency situation. Some ancient monuments seriously need repairs, especially after heavy rains this winter. The government also approved 37 million euro in funding to restore monuments.
Some people hope that a special commissioner will be able to push through bureaucratic hurdles and get more work done. Many archaeologists and arts administrators see more ominous designs behind the provision. They fear it will lead to the gradual dismantling of a century-old system of state-run conservation, allowing private investors to gain a stake in some of the most lucrative tourist sites in Italy.
The Culture Ministry said that Mario Corsini, the Rome city councilman in charge of urban development, would work alongside Mr. Bertolaso. That caused speculation that the government is primarily interested in construction projects that generate jobs and revenue, and not in the protection of ruins. "In moments of economic crisis perhaps one wants to have a free hand in the Roman countryside", Adriano La Regina, the former chief of Rome's archaeological heritage, said dryly in an interview last month in the newspaper La Repubblica.
Sources: The New York Times, 11 March 2009; The Boston Globe, 18 March 2009.
20 September 2008 - The Casa delle Ierodule open to the publicAfter decades of restoration work the Casa delle Ierodule (House of the Priestesses), in the west part of the Garden Houses, will be open to the public. It is now referred to as the Casa di Lucceia Primitiva, after a name found in a graffito. Other buildings in the block will also be opened to the public for the first time (Casa delle Muse, Casa delle Pareti Gialle and Casa delle Volte Dipinte). The buildings are especially important because of the paintings. They will be open for the first time on September 27.
A related presentation will be given by Anna Maria Moretti, Soprintendente per i Beni Archeologici di Ostia, and Angelo Pellegrino, director of the excavations, on September 26 at 11.00. They will present the book "Casa di Lucceia Primitiva e il complesso degli apparati decorativi di Case a Giardino".
Source: Adnkronos, 19 September 2008; www.ilvelino.it, 19 September 2008.
12 September 2008 - Excavations on the Forum of the Heroic StatueIn September 2008 excavations are taking place on the Forum of the Heroic Statue, directed by Axel Gering (Humboldt University in Berlin) and Luke Lavan (University of Kent). The progress can be followed in their blog.
28 August 2008 - Enlargement of the modern cemeteryIt looks as if the modern cemetery of Ostia will be enlarged substantially, with space for 10.000 urns. This cemetery is to the south of the mediaeval village, near the church of San Ercolano. The Superintendency had for a long time opposed the plan. The work will however take place after discussions with the Superintendency starting in September. Trial trenches led to the discovery of a church from the 15th century. The area belongs to the prince Aldobrandini, who will donate it to Ostia.
Source: www.online-news.it/ostiaintasca/, 28 August 2008.
4 July 2008 - Prehistoric remains in dangerAbout seven kilometres to the north-east of Ostia, near Acilia, is a district that has the curious name Axa. It is derived from ACSA: "Agricola Costruzioni Società per Azioni", later "Associazione Consortile Società per Azioni". There are plans to widen a road in the district, the Via di Acilia. At this point many prehistoric remains were found in 1956 (A. Malatesta - S. Pannuti, "Giacimento preistorico di superficie presso Acilia", Bullettino di Paletnologia Italiana 66 (1957), 269-275). They belong to the Middle and Upper Paleolithic (120.000-35.000 BP and 35.000-9.500 BP). In 1991 a bronze axe from the eighth century BC was found here. It is not certain whether archaeological investigations will be carried out before the work on the road begins.
Source: www.infernettoridens.info/forum, 27 February 2008.
4 July 2008 - Discovery of tombsIn 2006, during archaeological investigations that preceded work bij the ACEA (a water and energy company), many funerary structures were found (mausolea, colombaria, and tombs "a cupa" and "a cappuccina"). The area is situated to the south-east of Ostia. Among the objects that were found are a terracotta mask that was placed on the face of the deceased, and a gold fillet for the hair-do of a woman. The excavators also found a long stretch of a road paved with basalt blocks, an internal road of the necropolis. The excavation has been published in the book "Necropoli Ostiensi", by Simona Pannuzi and others. It will be presented by the Superintendent of Ostia, Marina Sapelli Ragni, on July 4 2008 at 11 AM, in the Museo della Via Ostiense.
Narrow trenches were dug along the Via Ostiense / Via del Mare. A total of 71 inhumations and 5 cremations was found. Particularly interesting was the excavation of the body of a child, 4 to 5 years old. The head rested on a few bricks. On the face a terracotta mask had been placed. Another mask was found near the feet of the child. The masks may originally have been toys. A few inscriptions:
On a marble altar-ossuarium:
-----
-----
TR(omentina?)[---]AS
SEVIR AVGVST(alis)
IDEM Q(uin)Q(uennalis) ITEM
Q(uin)Q(uennalis) ORDINIS
AVGVSTALIVM
ET PATRONVS
CORP(oris) MENS(orum) FR(umentariorum)
OST(iensium) ADIVTOR
LAVRENS LAVIN(as)
COMPARAVIT SIBI
VIBVSOn a marble funerary slab, found a bit to the east of the Porta Laurentina necropolis (trenches SS 4-9):
HIC SIT[i sunt]
Q. FABIVS LONGORV[m l(ibertus) ---]
CANINIA LONGO[rum l(iberta) ---]
ALFIDIA GRAPTE UXOR [sua et]
MATER FABIO L[ongo f(ilio)]
IVDAEI[---]We seem to read about an anonymous man and woman, a freedman and a freedwoman of Q. Fabius Longus and Caninia Longa (his wife?). Alfidia Grapte was the wife of the freedman and mother of a son, Fabius Longus. We already know a Q. Fabius Longus who was duovir c. 25 AD, 31 AD and 37 AD (see the Fasti; Meiggs 192, 199, with more on possible relations with C. Fabii, one of them consul in 148 AD). All the people mentioned in the inscription seem to belong to the Jewish community of Ostia, witness the word Iudaei, also found in an inscription found in 1906 at Castel Porziano (AE 1907, 206; Universitas] Iud(a)eorum / [in col(onia) Ost(iensium) etc.).
Sources: www.adnkronos.com/IGN/Cultura, 26 June 2008; the book "Necropoli Ostiensi".
3 July 2008 - Discovery of a villa and a possible wharfInside Castel Fusano pine forest, Italian police blocked in April 2007 the building of a swimming pool and of a shopping centre. Near them were discovered a Roman villa rustica ("A" on the map) and another building, that might be a wharf of the ancient marsh of Ostia ("B" on the map). The area is included in the Capitol Camping, part of the Baia Holiday group. The discoveries have not yet been published.
Source: Andrea Schiavone.
9 June 2008 - Excavations of a necropolis near PortusOn a hill to the east of Portus, at Ponte Galeria, 3000 square metres of a necropolis - the so-called Castel Malnone necropolis - have been excavated. Part of the necropolis is in the area for which the Superintendency of Ostia is responsible, the other part is under the jurisdiction of the Superintendency of Rome. In the necropolis the lower social classes buried their dead. The excavators found 320 tombs and around 270 skeletons. The bodies were buried in the first and second century AD, as can be deduced from some 70 coins, that were found placed in the mouths of the dead as offerings for underworld ferryman Charon.
The tombs are simple trenches, covered by wood or by terracotta tiles ("a cappuccina"). Two urns were found. One in three of the burials comprised funerary gifts. Although most of the tombs contained only basic artefacts, the graves of two young boys led to more interesting finds. One boy, eight years old, held a necklace made from bones, shells and an amber pendant to protect him in the afterlife, while another was buried with two gold earrings and a large terracotta-and-glass oil lamp decorated with a scene from a grape harvest, a reference to the afterlife. Next to a woman a small mirror was found. Among the more intriguing finds were the remains of a full-grown man with a rare congenital disorder that would have made it impossible for him to open his mouth: his lower jaw was fused to his upper jaw. Study indicated how for all of his life this individual was fed, likely through the care of his family, with liquids or semisolids, introduced through a hole made through his teeth.
Anthropologists working at the site discovered that some 70% of the skeletons belonged to adult men between the ages of 20 and 40, and that many had joint and tendon inflammation, compressed vertebrae, hernias and spinal problems. Many ailments seem to hark back to work as labourers, in transport and carrying of heavy loads, in an especially humid environment. Experts believe the men may have worked in the nearby salt pans, where they were accustomed to carrying heavy sacks of salt on their shoulders, or carried heavy loads in Portus, perhaps also being involved in the construction work for the ports of the Emperors Claudius and Trajan. They may have been slaves. It is not known where they lived.
Archaeologists began excavating the site following a tip-off from police in March 2007. The art police had wondered about the existence of an archaeological site in the area after having arrested two local people for possession of ancient artefacts in the summer of 2006.
Sources: www.ansa.it, 9 June 2008; La Repubblica, 9 June 2008; news.yahoo.com, 9 June 2008; ap.google.com, 9 June 2008.
- Links:
- Movie of the excavations (Italian; L.A.T.E.R.E.S. Arc. Ter.; hosted by La Repubblica).
2 June 2008 - A new bridge over the TiberIntense building activity between Rome and Ostia, and near Leonardo da Vinci airport has led to major traffic problems (traffic jams). Several years ago the authorities decided to widen the bridge over the Tiber to the west of Ostia ("Ponte della Scafa"). This was forbidden by the Superintendency. The authorities now want to build a new bridge, 200 metres to the west.
Source: www.online-news.it/ostiaintasca/, 2 June 2008; infernetto.blogspot.com, 9 August 2007; www.ilgiornale.it, 9 August 2005.
31 May 2008 - Excavations to the east of PortusApproximately four kilometres to the north-east of Portus a huge commercial complex will be built called Interporto Roma-Fiumicino. Therefore excavations started in 2001, that are still ongoing. Protohistoric and Roman remains were found. A Roman dike was found between the firm ground and the brackish lagune of Maccarese. It is lined by a row of more than 1170 amphorae, one kilometre long. Two masonry channels (opus reticulatum) at straight angles to the dike, controlled the discharge of the water. On the bottom of the channels are travertine slabs with holes in which partitions were fastened.
To the south, eight protohistoric sites were found, that have been dated to the late Bronze Age (1300-900 BC). In the same area hydraulic systems consisting of large and small channels were found, and many alignments of poles. These have been dated to various periods. The last phase has been dated to the sixth century AD. There is also a third masonry channel from the Roman period, when salt was produced here.
When the excavations are concluded the remains will be buried again. However, they will be reflected in the layout of the commercial complex.
Source: www.cirf.info.
14 May 2008 - An interview about the work for commercial archaeological companies near PortusMichele Tosto has interviewed an archaeologist about the work for commercial archaeological companies near Portus. The archaeologist wishes to remain anonymous. He or she has worked for Akhet Ltd. and LAND Ltd. Working hours are from 07.00 to 16.00, with a one-hour break. Excavations were carried out to the east of Portus, in an area where huge commercial centres are being built, such as the Fair of Rome ("Fiera di Roma"). Akhet pays a salary of 6 to 7 euro per hour, LAND of 100 euro gross per day. When it rains, the full salary is not paid. When a person is ill, he receives no salary. The work must be finished in a fixed number of days. Working overtime would not be paid. Insurances were paid for by Akhet, but not by LAND.
Source: www.rivistaonline.com, 14 May 2008.
18 April 2008 - Illegal excavations on the Isola Sacra, discovery of an exceptional sarcophagusOn the night of February 6 2008 the police noted suspicious activity near the Isola Sacra necropolis between Ostia and Portus. They then stopped an illegal excavation and discovered that a Roman sarcophagus of Greek marble had been found. The illegal excavators had collected much other material on that spot: amphorae, fragments of sarcophagi and statues, architectural elements, more than 300 coins and basalt blocks of the road connecting Ostia and Portus. The sarcophagus is of exceptional quality. On the front is a relief of the nine Muses led by Apollo and of Athena. On the lid are reliefs of philosophers and poets. It can be dated to the second half of the second century AD. It was put on display in the museum of Ostia Antica. The remains inside the sarcophagus are being analyzed by the Luigi Pigorini National Museum of Prehistory and Ethnology in Rome.
Sources: Il Messaggero, 18 April 2008; www.notiziealice.it, 18 April 2008; New York Times, 18 April 2008; www.agi.it, 17 April 2008; www.portalearte.com, 14 April 2008; www.online-news.it/ostiaintasca, 11 April 2008.
- Links:
- Movie of the sarcophagus and comments by the Superintendent, Prof. Marina Sapelli Ragni (Italian; Centro d'Ascolto dell'Informazione Radiotelevisiva).
18 April 2008 - New Superintendent of the excavations appointedProf. Marina Sapelli Ragni has been appointed as Superintendent of Ostia Antica. She has worked in Rome for 23 years, and for four years she was head of the Egyptian Museum in Turin. Her four main targets for Ostia and Portus are: stimulating tourism, improving the relations with universities and research institutes, synergy with local institutions, and good quality performances in the theatre during the summer. In 2007 Ostia was visited by 312.369 people, paying a total entrance fee of 774.640 euro.
Source: Il Messaggero, 18 April 2008.
17 April 2008 - Plans for building over an aqueductThere are plans for building over a stretch of aqueduct 100 metres long, to the east of Ostia Antica, in a district called Infernetto (Via Bedollo). The aqueduct was found in the 1990's. It has been dated to the first century AD
Sources: www.online-news.it/ostiaintasca/blog, 17 April 2008; www.culturalazio.it, April 2008; www.castelporzianonews.it, April 2008; www.abitarearoma.net, 29 March 2008.
1 August 2007 - Intimidation of employees of the SuperintendencySeveral trade unions express their concerns about attempts to intimidate employees of the Superintendency. The tires of a car of one employee were punctured, another employee received an anonymous letter containing gunpowder and a bullet.
Source: http://www.fpcgilbac.tk.
12 July 2007 - Discovery of a tomb in modern Ostia AnticaIn the Fall of 2006 a Roman tomb was found in modern Ostia Antica, during digging by the ACEA, a water and energy company. It was found not far from the Borgo and Castle, on Piazza Gregoriopoli between Ristorante Monumento and Bar Centro. It is a columbarium from the first century AD. It measures 8 x 6 metres. It is made of opus reticulatum and covered by a barrel vault. The main door is framed by travertine, and the iron hinges are still in place. In two aediculae niches with urns of terracotta and glass were found, still containing the ashes of the deceased. Also two skeletons were found, probably belonging to the second or third century. The latter were covered by a slab with a mosaic, and with the initials and age of one of the deceased (28 years). The floor is decorated with little pieces of marble, on the walls are remains of simple paintings. The tomb was covered in antiquity by mud, during a flood of the Tiber. Later it became a dump for amphorae in which oil had been taken to the harbour from Spain. After the excavation the site was covered with earth again. There are plans to cover it with a transparent roof.
Sources: La Repubblica, 12 July 2007; Il Messaggero, 12 July 2007.
23 September 2006 - Animals for the amphitheatre near OstiaIn 1938 bones of an elephant were found to the south of Ostia, beyond the Canale dello Stagno. It is possible that in this area wild animals were kept, to be transported to the amphitheatre. In the area known as Infernetto may also have been a small harbour, where the animals were unloaded, near a swamp. In 1990 poles were found to which ships could be tied up. These remains were located by amateur archaeologists on private property. They were later destroyed by the owners. Recently a farm (villa rustica) was found here, near Via Nicolini and Via Calcaterra.
Sources: www.archeoweb.it, 23 September 2006; Il Messaggero, 23 September 2006; Andrea Schiavone.
22 April 2004 - Discovery of a stretch of the Via Portuensis near PortusIn June 2004 the building will start of a new Fair of Rome ("Fiera di Roma"), to the east of Portus and Leonardo da Vinci airport, covering an area of 200.000 square metres. Anna Gallina Zevi, Superintendent of Ostia, informs the press that important discoveries have been made recently nearby, especially a stretch of the ancient Via Portuensis, one kilometre long, without basalt blocks. In this area may also be remains of ancient factories and salt-works. "Let one thing be clear - she warns - We cannot bury history, everything that we will find will be respected and preserved.".
Sources: www.architettiroma.it; Il Messaggero, 22 April 2004.
