Attidium
2014
The second excavation campaign continued excavation of the baths complex, which had been investigated more than once by the Archeological Superintendency for the Marche and were the subject of the first season of excavations. The results provided further evidence of the spatial organisation and topography of the entire area.

The work concentrated on two areas, to the north-east and south-west of the baths complex, with the aim of defining its exact extension. In fact, at present the exact size and plan of the structure are still unknown.
In the area north-east of the baths, the excavations revealed several brick-built walls, the bricks placed horizontally and bonded with extremely regular courses of mortar. The structures, built to a high technical level, formed an inspection shaft for the large sewer, with “a cappucina” covering, lying below. The very well-preserved structure was followed for several metres and two other drains that joined the latter were identified, identical in size, typology and construction technique to the first.

The inspection shaft seemed to have already been discovered in the modern era, which is probably when one of its sides was deliberately demolished in order to gain access to the structure’s interior that was probably thought to be a tomb.
This discovery is of great interest. Indeed, it appears to be part of a very well-organised and complex sewer system, probably not belonging to one dwelling but more than likely serving a town/settlement.

In the area south-west of the baths the excavations identified two perfectly parallel curved walls, made of local stone ashlar blocks, carefully positioned, and bonded with very strong whitish mortar. This appeared to be the continuation of the water collection channel partially intercepted during the previous campaign. One of the walls forming the parapets of the channel itself was continuous. Indeed, having uncovered a further section of this channel made it possible to exclude the existence of a close functional link between the channel and the bath complex as no structural links were present.

The original straight line of the structure along almost the totality of its length changed radically up against the baths complex, where there was a net change in the channel’s line.
At present, the function of this small channel remains uncertain. In fact, the possible presence in the area of a small brick/tile kiln producing materials primarily for use in the baths and then for sale on the local market, and to which the drain could be linked, remains to be determined.

The discovery of numerous badly-fired brick, imbrices and tegula fragments in the layers in the area, together with walls showing clear signs of burning, that probably came about during the production process, suggest the presence of a small production structure whose actual existence remains to be ascertained.

The preliminary study of the pottery indicates that the site was occupied during the period attested by the written sources, between the 1st and 4th centuries A.D.
However, further analyses will produce a more precise chronology able to associate the different finds with the various structures. Lastly, the notable find of a small fragment of white marble with an anthropomorphic decoration in low relief on both faces, what remains of an oscillum.