The Laurentina or of the liberti Claudii is one of the necropoleis of ancient Ostia. In it are found various types of tomb; enclosures, monuments, columbari, aedicula and caissons. Its position outside the archaeological area has exposed it over the years to vanadalism and theft. However, in the last decade it has been gradually restored and secured by fencing. Cleaning of vegetation and maintenance have made it possible to see the site, while visitor routes have been created. Various seasons of conservation of the structures and their furnishings have also been carried out. In particular tomb 18, the tomb of the Isiac priesteess, has been restored, together with its decoration, which consists of a stuccoed ceiling and painted wall plaster, that allow us to date the compelx to the Augustan period and to read the successive phases of its use. In the course of several campaigns of maintenance a number of fragments of frescoes have emerged which document earlier phases of wall decoration obliterated by later projects. The necropolis has recently been the subject of field survey and documentation, which has made it possible to understand its various phases.
(Margherita Bedello Tata)