[Archport] Archaeologists Discover Amphitheatre In Excavation Of Portus, Ancient Port Of Rome

[Alexandre Monteiro <no.arame@gmail.com>]

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090930194337.htm	

Archaeologists Discover Amphitheatre In Excavation Of Portus, Ancient
Port Of Rome


ScienceDaily (Oct. 1, 2009) — University of Southampton archaeologists
leading a major excavation of Portus, the ancient port of Rome, have
uncovered the remains of an amphitheatre-shaped-building, solving a
mystery which has puzzled experts for over 140 years.

The excavation team, working in collaboration with the British School
at Rome, is conducting the first ever large-scale dig at Portus on the
banks of a hexagonal shaped man-made lake which formed the 2nd century
harbour, near the Italian capital.

"When the site was visited by archaeologist Rodolfo Lanciani in the
1860s he marked on his plans the remains of a theatre, but
subsequently no trace of the building could be found," says Portus
Project Director and leading expert in Roman Archaeology at the
University of Southampton, Professor Simon Keay.

"Our team has rediscovered this 'theatre' and proved it was in fact a
building more akin to an amphitheatre. Lanciani had only found half of
the structure, leading him to misinterpret its shape and function."

Funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, experts from
Southampton have been working with colleagues from the BSR, The
Italian Archaeological Superintendency for Ostia and the University of
Cambridge, to carry out extensive excavation at Portus. They have
uncovered a large Roman warehouse, the 'amphitheatre' and what the
team have identified as an Imperial palace. This is likely to have
played host to renowned emperors such as Hadrian.

Portus was Rome's gateway to the Mediterranean for most of the
Imperial period and played a key role in funnelling food, slaves, wild
animals, marble and all manner of luxury goods from across the
Mediterranean and beyond to the citizens of Rome. It was vital to the
survival of the Empire and the only real 'transport hub' serving the
city.

"The 'amphitheatre' we have discovered was similar in ground area to
the Pantheon in Rome, but it is unclear exactly what it was used for,"
continues Professor Keay.

"Gladiatorial combat may have taken place there - wild beast baiting,
the staging of mock sea battles, or it may have been a form of Roman
'folly', shaped like an amphitheatre, but used as a monumental garden.
It is unusual to find this type of building so close to a harbour."

Having solved one riddle, archaeologists have now uncovered another;
the white marble head of a statue unearthed at the site of
once-luxurious rooms close to the 'amphitheatre'. It is thought the
head dates back to the 2nd or early 3rd century, however it is less
clear who it depicts.

"The elderly bearded male wearing a flat skull-cap could suggest it is
Ulysses, however it is equally possible it is a representation of one
of the Greek sailors who accompanied him on his travels. For the
moment his identity remains a mystery," concludes Professor Keay.

Part of the 'Portus Project' involves the work of the University of
Southampton's Archaeological Computing Research Group. They are
producing computer generated images which bring the port to life and
provide archaeologists with a valuable 'tool' with which to explore
the site. The University of Southampton and the BSR are jointly using
ground-penetrating radar and other techniques to map buried buildings
and other structures. The Portus Project has also been undertaking a
geophysical survey of the Isola Sacra, an island to the south of
Portus, and has found a major new canal and traces of Rome's marble
yards.

Research has been underway at Portus for several years and Professor
Keay hopes to continue working there. "This is one of the most
important archaeological sites in the world," he says.

"Certainly it should be rated alongside such wonders as Stonehenge and
Angkor Wat in Cambodia. So much of this Imperial port has been
preserved and there is much more to learn about its role in supplying
Rome and in the broader economic development of the Roman
Mediterranean."

Adapted from materials provided by University of Southampton, via AlphaGalileo.