Area 2

The second area was located where the magnetometry suggested an atrium domus (house), with a peristyle, a line of columns surrounding an outdoor space. The area was also considered suitable due to limited previous archaeological activity.

2022

In 2022, five phases of occupation were discerned within a 10 x 10 m trench. Based on preliminary readings of the material, the chronological sequence, from earliest to most recent, appears to run as follows: a house of the Late Republican period (Phase 1), is modified at a subsequent date (Phase 2) and occupied into the fifth century CE (Phase 3), when parts of its structure are badly destroyed. Continued occupation of parts of the structure continues for a short period, preceding the collapse and final abandonment in the sixth century (Phase 4). After a hiatus, activity returns to the general area in the medieval period, when available space in the area of the robbed-out street to the west of the house is occupied by a granary or similar structure (Phase 5). The absence of later finds in these areas suggests little activity here in the early modern period.

2023

In 2023, excavations continued of a large domus, where the trench was expanded to the east in order to continue defining the domus’ architecture and phasing. Excavation then concentrated on a series of interior spaces.

Room 2

Room 2 is a corridor (0.97 m E-W x 4.25 m N-S), east of Room 1. In the south, a rectangular space contained a series of deposits rich in high African red slip ware and metal finds.

Room 3

Room 3 is a rectangular space (4.29 x 2.57 m) to the east of Room 2. It contained a compact layer of crushed tuff and heterogeneous soil and building rubble, including semi-worked ashlars. This deposit appears to be a terrace related to the construction of the long east-west wall.

Room 5

Room 5 sits south of Rooms 3 and 4, and east of Room 2. Within it, a surface of cocciopesto was poorly preserved and visible in patches across its extent. Below was a thick layer with little material, possibly another terrace, and below this was a badly burned surface with fragments of Republican ceramics.

The Southern Area

The Southern Area, south of Rooms 2 and 5 contained a series of diffuse deposits above several discrete structures. Along the southernmost edge of the southern area was found a mosaic and opus sectile feature. Excavation revealed the edge of a feature consisting of an opus caementicium preparation extending 3.57 m. The preparation was finished with three treatments: cocciopesto, then a band of tessellated mosaic with dark green stone tesserae arranged in a geometrical pattern, then a band of opus sectile with geometrical shapes made of thin slabs of white and colored marble. Immediately atop the mosaic and opus sectile was a thick layer of collapsed roof tiles sitting upon a layer of ash on its western extent. Fragments of ceramics suggest a late antique date for the collapse.

2024

In 2024, excavation in Area 2 extended east again to explore the central portion of the house. Excavation uncovered an impluvium of the large urban domus. At its center was a lead pipe with a faucet. Surrounding its edge was a pavement in opus sectile of geometrical patterns surrounded by a mosaic of black and white tesserae all set within cocciopesto. The cocciopesto surface beyond this mosaic also shows a simple pattern of white tesserae set in diamonds. The basin initially drained into a cistern built entirely of well-cut, large ashlar blocks. Later modifications to the impluvium blocked the drain, and a low wall was built around the basin edges. Tile collapse covered the whole southern extent of the trench.