Isola Sacra - North-east part - Marble yard

On the north-east part of the Isola Sacra, up to Capo due Rami where the Fossa Traiana branches off from the Tiber, a large marble yard was found. Hundreds of marble blocks and columns were found here and in the Fossa Traiana, in 1839, in the 1920's, and in the second half of the 20th century. In the geophysical survey few signs of building were seen in the area.

The recovery of a marble block from the Fossa Traiana in 1977. Photo: Parco Archeologica di Ostia Antica.

Many of the blocks carry inscriptions, made partly in the quarries, partly during an inventory in Portus that took place in 132 AD. The former include the formula ex ratione (cuiusdam), "from the business of ...". The latter include numbers and the name of consul Augurinus. From the inscriptions can be deduced that the yard was under Imperial control, also attested by the presence of Imperial lead seals. It was a stock, from which objects were shipped to Rome. A marble workshop was present, specialised in repairing damaged or faulty objects. If the attempt was not successful, the object was rejected and dumped. The rejected objects have been found. The yard at Portus replaced a yard at the river-harbour in Rome, after the completion of Trajan's harbour.

The location of 60 blocks taken to Ostia in 1959. Image: Pensabene 1994, fig. 7.

The yard was studied extensively by Patrizio Pensabene (1994). Objects from the marble yard to the south of the Fossa Traiana are now on display in Ostia, near the museum.

The display of marble blocks in Ostia. Photo: Keay et al. 2020, fig. 1.8.

Lead seals with the portrait of Antoninus Pius. Photos: Parco Archeologico di Ostia Antica.

Photos: Eric Taylor.