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The proposed lecture is titled “Maritime Archaeological Survey of the Tiber River” and it present the results of the Society of Antiquaries funded research carried in 2020 by the author. A partnership between the British School at Rome and the Parco di Ostia Antica, the marine geophysics survey mapped the first 5km of the Tiber.
The Tiber was a strategic waterway for Rome and served as its connection to the Mediterranean; however, the river has eluded systematic survey by maritime archaeologists. The low-visibility river environment became visible through use of the latest underwater remote-sensing equipment and a ROV robot. The survey revealed the submerged quarter of Ostia and Transtevere Ostiensis on Isola Sacra, as well as significant deposits relating to Portus in the former canal known as the Fosse Traiana. This includes 48 marble elements found in the canal, relating to the imperial marble station positioned in the lands between Portus and the Tiber. Several bridges were identified, potentially extending Ostia’s Cardo Maximus across the Tiber to Transtevere Ostiensis and the warehouses that lined the banks of Isola Sacra.
The submerged remains illustrate the dynamic environment of rivers and the lecture will examines the geomorphological changes in the Tiber since the founding of Ostia. Interpreted together with recent terrestrial research by the British School at Rome, the survey demonstrates the significance of submerged archaeological remains for interpreting the port network of Ostia and Portus, and connectivity between the ports and the city of Rome.
This would be the first public presentation of the survey results.
This event will be both in person at Burlington House and online. Please select the appropriate ticket below.
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