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A Olympic pool of almost fifty meters that has an imposing ramp-slide on one short side. The edges of the basin, which still vibrates with groundwater after 2400 years, are defined by large blocks of tuff. Archaeologists call it “an enigma.” “Ancient tanks have been found, but not so monumental and carefully worked throughout its structure: it is truly unique”, comments the archaeologist from the Superintendency of Rome Barbara Rossi, responsible for the area.
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“It is enough to consider that the landslide revealed two levels of tuff blocks, evidently it had to withstand the passage of something very heavy.” What is this? Perhaps a dock linked to the nearby Tiber, perhaps a production plant along the trade routes to Rome.
WATER
“The truth is that the aquatic element is the key to everything,” says Rossi. The look is effective. An excavation that spans more than 20 thousand square meters (bilge pumps keep the water level at bay today), at a depth of six meters from street level, between Via Ostiense and the line of Rome-Lido railway. We are in via di Malafede, where a housing plot has unearthed a vast archaeological complex in recent months:
“A site that remained in use from the 5th century BC until imperial times – explains the superintendent Daniela Porro – A place of worship linked to the presence of a sacred chapel, which later developed as a commercial production plant in relationship with the crossroads brought to light “. In fact, next to the pool there is a very large path that runs parallel to the basin. The signs of the cars on the cobblestones are still evident. And always here the structures of the walls of an aqueduct have been intercepted.
STUDIES
“The first hypothesis is that this basin was a spring in synergy with the Tiber and the Fosso di Malafede, but the discovery of the fourth side that closes the basin could question the interpretation”, says Porro. Although among archaeologists there are also those who do not abandon the idea, seeing in these tuff blocks a construction following the activity of the dock. And perhaps, a system of wooden doors could regulate the flows. So much so. Numerous artifacts found in the area come to help, starting with the wooden boards that resurfaced within the tank amid layers of clay and water.
“The key clue will be wood,” says Rossi- because from a specifically micro-excavation, large pieces of wood, almost two meters long, with notches have also re-emerged: a sign that they should have served to create an additional structure ” . In short, the pool, more than 48 meters long and 12 meters wide, is the subject of a systematic study. So beautiful that “it will soon be enhanced” thanks to the full collaboration between the company and the Superintendency. The works, therefore, continue. The satisfaction of the archaeologists of the Eos arc company, who carried out the excavations in agreement with the Superintendency, is also in the numerous findings found.
I REPEATED
«At least thirty bronze coins from the imperial period, from Augustus to the Flavians, all accumulated around the chapel – says archaeologist Simona Schiano – Numerous loom weights and amphorae of wine and oil that confirm the productive and commercial vocation of the site . And numerous clay matrices with female drapery motifs, used to reproduce small votive female figurines ».
Sacred, naval, productive function at the intersection of roads? The tank continues to be the real challenge for Emanuele Giannini, technical director of the excavation: «The tank is usually used as a water reservoir, but this hypothesis does not convince me because the bottom is not covered with impermeable cocciopesto but with beaten earth. The chute is generally found in animal manure containment tanks, the so-called sterilines, but is too large for this use. It is not even a place for fish farming, because the water level is not constant. It could be a multifunctional pool, even a sacred one. “In the area we find oil lamps and ceramic plates decorated with the winged Victory and floral elements”, underlines the archaeologist Federico Desideri.
Last updated: 08:04
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