During work to repair a sustaining wall on the via Appia, situated just south-east of the turning for via Caffarella, a survey and technical analyses was undertaken of the archaeological structures abutted by the wall. A well structured funerary context emerged, similar to the many others along this ancient road. This comprised the foundations of a sepulchral building, of the type made up of superimposed rooms datable to between the 2nd and 3rd century A.D. and an underground room, with a pavement of sesquipedalis tiles, dug into the Pozzolana bed-rock. It is thought that this was also for funerary use, in a period characterised by the lack of care taken in its preparation.
The Pozzolana shows evident traces of mining activity. A part from the entrance to a cuniculus, up against the underground room, the existence was also revealed of quarry opened nearby in relatively recent times. (Roberto Manigrasso)