|
A fresh season of archaeological finds is revealing a more complex and dynamic image of ancient Saepinum, located in the town of Altilia in the province of Campobasso, Molise, and one of the most evocative parks in the Italian Museum System. Excavations between 2023 and 2025 are revealing new urban and monumental contexts, which are critical for recreating the city's history and evolution over the centuries. New study has revealed a domus of outstanding significance, distinguished by a colossal entrance overlooking the decumanus—one of the Roman city's main roadways, aligned east-west—and subjected to multiple alterations throughout time. The structure provides a complex architectural palimpsest that documents a lengthy period of existence, from the early Imperial Age to the 6th century AD, considerably enhancing research opportunities for the city. Along with the coins, the collection of small items provides a tactile view into everyday life: terracotta lamps, a rare terracotta incense burner, little ceramic containers, and personal bronze objects like rings and a small casket key. Also noteworthy is the recovery of a substantial lead container that was part of a sophisticated domestic water heating system. The cylindrical vessel is adorned in relief with stylized sun patterns and Gorgon heads. This discovery, coupled with the pipe and valve fragments found during the dig, provides rare evidence of the plumbing technologies utilized in high-end Roman residences.
|