Area II

In the northern sector of Area II the excavation investigated the earth dumps relating to structural interventions (the ramp in cappellaccio slabs and the two bothroi situated at the eastern and western extremities of the ramp) identified in the part of the Velian sanctuary which falls within the excavation area (cf. report for 2007-2008). The eastern bothros appeared as a parallelepiped of cappellaccio blocks with a small square opening in the centre. Below it another structure (votive?) in cappellaccio blocks had begun to appear. The finds from the layers removed so far confirm the dating to the late archaic/early Republican period for this construction phase, but the cult site is certainly earlier, as attested by the ex voto found inside both wells.

In the central sector excavation was undertaken to the south of the cappellaccio wall identified in 2007 which separates the Velian complex from the valley-Forum road, working on the area occupied by the latter. Substantial dumps of tufite and sandy beaten surfaces datable to the end of the 6th-beginning of the 5th century B.C. were excavated, all relating to rebuilds of the road. Investigation continued of the complex sewer system of imperial date, constituted by three parallel drains of diverse periods (Augustan, Neronian/Hadrianic and Flavian) which, coming from the west and south-west, consented the disposal of water from the buildings standing on this side of the hill. With the exception of the oldest drain, they continued to function until at least the end of the 4th century.

Area II “extension”

In June 2009 following the felling, for safety reasons, of two examples of pinus marittima, it was possible to open a further large excavation area in the zone between Area II and Area III. The newly begun investigations have produced the first traces of elements which can be connected with the evidence already identified and excavated in the above mentioned areas: the modern roads between the Colosseum valley and the Palatine, an enormous ditch of 17th century date already excavated in previous campaigns and above all part of the collapsed vaults of the basement structures relating to the Neronian/Flavian terrace connected to the sanctuary at the north-eastern corner of the Palatine. (cf. 2005-2009).(Sabina Zeggio)

Area IV (“Baths of Elagabalus”)

In Area IV (“Baths of Elagabalus”) the investigation was extended on the northern front opposite the present via Sacra, and in the area occupied by the courtyard onto which the structures of the Severan horreum faced. The best documented phases are those of the late Republican and imperial periods, but evidence of prehistoric, archaic and Republican date also came to light. The late Republican domus, below the Hadrianic and Severan horrea, already partially excavated in Area I and Area IV (cf. 2007-2008), was renewed in the second half of the 1st century B.C. with a series of tabernae facing onto the valley-Forum road and with a residential zone behind them. Between the reigns of Augustus and Tiberius the façade of the tabernae was extended to the west and the domus was restructured (one room now had heating). The layers from the fire of 64 A.D. which destroyed the domus were exceptionally well preserved.

The excavation provided new data regarding the construction and demolition of the Hadrianic horreum which faced north onto the valley-Forum road and south onto an internal road which continued the alignment of the via Nova. The complex was destroyed in the Severan period, at the same time as the construction of the new front of the substructures of the Vigna Barberini and of the new horreum (the so-called Baths of Elagabalus), up against the base of the Vigna, with rooms on three sides of a rectangular courtyard (cf. 2007-2008). During the building site phase which preceded the actual construction of the complex, part of the area was occupied by masonry built tanks, for the slaking and working of lime. The new data on this building regards the transformation in the late antique period, when the courtyard was occupied by a peristyle paved with large marble tesserae. On the east and west sides two absidal fountains were built. The presence of fountains and ample practicable spaces indicates that this was a public building. (Lucia Saguì)