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4 July 2008 - Prehistoric remains in danger

About 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 tombs

In 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 will be published in the book "Necropoli Ostiensi", by Simona Pannuzi. 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.

Source: www.adnkronos.com/IGN/Cultura, 26 June 2008.

3 July 2008 - Discovery of a villa and a possible wharf

Inside 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 identified with 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 Portus

On 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.

Location of the excavations General view of the excavations General view of the excavations A tomb "a cappuccina" A tomb "a cappuccina" A skeleton The necklace of the eight-year old boy The oil lamp with a scene from a grape harvest A coin of Trajan The skull of the man who could not open his mouth

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 Tiber

    Intense 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 Portus

    Approximately 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 Portus

    Michele 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 sarcophagus

    On 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 appointed

    Prof. 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 aqueduct

    There 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 Superintendency

    Several 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 Antica

    In 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 Ostia

    In 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 Portus

    In 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.