High resolution multi-methodological geophysical investigations to enhance the knowledge of Tusculum archaeological site (Roma, Italy)

Abstract

To better understand the location and help in the conservation of buried structures in the ancient site of Tusculum, in Central Italy, archaeological and multi-methodological geophysical studies were developed in the recent last years. These studies included geophysical surveys, which were combined with topographical survey and direct archaeological excavations. Tusculum is one of the largest Roman archaeological sites in the Alban Hills, located in the Latium region (Italy), about 25 km South-East of Rome. This settlement was inhabited since pre-Roman times, up to the middle ages. The objective of the Tusculum Project is to verify the town-planning of Tusculum and to obtain information about the location, shape, depth and size of the hypothesised buried buildings. With these aims, multi-methodological geophysical surveys have been carried out in the time range 2016–2019 to locate the archaeological remains in different portions of the studied area and to verify the orientation of the underground aqueduct system. GPR and gradiometric surveys were carried out to investigate the archaeological remains, while ERT surveys, were employed to find evidence of undiscovered parts of the underground aqueduct system. These results, along with geological studies and historic evidence, are being examined by archaeologist to understand the limits of the town and how water was supplied to such a large, populated settlement. The obtained results show very good correspondence between the buried architecture, the geophysical anomalies and the archaeological excavations. A number of unexpected buried buildings were discovered, which were excavated in 2017 and 2018, which showed remains of buried public thermal bath and a large church with surrounding funerary area built in the Middle Ages.

KEYWORDS:

• Tusculum archaeological site
• GPR
• gradiometer
• ERT

Acknowledgements

Authors thank the following ISPC CNR staff who contributed during the acquisition phases, Daniele Verrecchia, Tommaso Leti Messina and Cinzia Bacigalupo. We also thank Enrico Papale for the work carried out during the research grant at ITABC CNR and Elisa Iacobelli for the activities related to the degree thesis in Geological Sciences. Authors thank the reviewers for their constructive remarks that improved the text and the figures.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).