Archaeology: Amphora Graveyard of Monte Testaccio
Description
Although venturing outside our normal jurisdiction, ArchaeoSpain could not pass up sending some of its students to Rome to participate at Monte Testaccio. Heralded as one of the most important research programs about Roman epigraphy, economy and commerce today, Monte Testaccio combines the efforts of two universities and ArchaeoSpain to process the pottery shards from an artificial mount created by centuries of discarded amphorae many of which still bear the markings of the contents and the exporters who transported them. Once an ancient pottery dump, Monte Testaccio is now one of the largest archives of Roman commerce in the world.
Monte Testaccio is located in the southern part of modern Rome and behind the old river port. Those who join us will participate in all aspects of this project, including artifact recovery and conservation work, restoration, recording and drawing.
While the crew is mostly Spanish, don't worry if you don't speak Italian nor Spanish - an English-speaking archaeologist will guide you. Nevertheless, we hope that our students take the opportunity to learn a new tongue or improve what they already know. And the city of Rome offers unlimited options for classical world enthusiasts. There will be many opportunities during the program for participants to enjoy the city, from its busy cafes and restaurants to all the historical sites.
Highlights
In ancient times, amphorae were the main containers used for transportation and storage of goods. They were massively produced because of their low cost, and were usually destroyed once they reached their final destination because it was easier to make a new one than to clean and reuse an old one. Between the 1st and the 3rd centuries, a spectacular number of amphorae were broken and dumped at a specific location in Rome near the Tiber River.
Over the years, they formed an artificial hill of testae and crockery 45 meters (135 feet) high.
Many of the amphorae still have the maker's seal stamped on their handles, while others retain titles and notes written with a brush or quill listing the exporter's name and indicating the contents, the export controls, and consular date. All these notes make Testaccio the largest archive of Roman commerce in the world.
This excavation is overseen by professors from Madrid's Complutense University and the Center for the Study of the Provincial Interdependency in Classical World at the University of Barcelona.
Working alongside this team will offer you a unique opportunity to take part in one of the most important research programs in Roman epigraphy and archaeometry.