Survey · FastiOnline

Seasons

Site Required - 2002
Between the 3rd and 17th of May 2002, a geophysical and topographical survey covering approximately 2 hectares was undertaken in the area around the archaeological excavations at Baccanas (Campagnano di Roma, Lazio, Italy), by a team from the British School at Rome and Cambridge University. The survey formed part of the continuing work of the AHRB funded Roman Towns in the Middle and Lower Tiber Valley project, directed by Simon Keay (University of Southampton) and Martin Millett (Cambridge University). The survey benefited from the use of an integrated survey strategy since the topographical data greatly assisted in the interpretation of the magnetometry results. These were not as clear as might have been hoped due to the difficulties presented by the surface spread of material, and the depth of the archaeology around the limits of the survey area. However, the survey was deemed to be successful since it both increased knowledge of the site beyond the excavated area, and elucidated possibilities for the further extent of the settlement. The survey results suggested that the surrounding areas to the west of the archaeological zone might yield further evidence of the settlement. However, the depth of soil over the archaeological remains make it unlikely that very clear or easily interpretable results would be produced by extending the magnetometry survey area. Equally, to the east the continuation of the possible forum is hidden by the remainder of the previous modern Via Cassia and therefore geophysical survey in this area would also prove unsuccessful.

Media

Year: 2002
Summary: en Between the 3rd and 17th of May 2002, a geophysical and topographical survey covering approximately 2 hectares was undertaken in the area around the archaeological excavations at Baccanas (Campagnano di Roma, Lazio, Italy), by a team from the British School at Rome and Cambridge University. The survey formed part of the continuing work of the AHRB funded Roman Towns in the Middle and Lower Tiber Valley project, directed by Simon Keay (University of Southampton) and Martin Millett (Cambridge University).

The survey benefited from the use of an integrated survey strategy since the topographical data greatly assisted in the interpretation of the magnetometry results. These were not as clear as might have been hoped due to the difficulties presented by the surface spread of material, and the depth of the archaeology around the limits of the survey area. However, the survey was deemed to be successful since it both increased knowledge of the site beyond the excavated area, and elucidated possibilities for the further extent of the settlement.

The survey results suggested that the surrounding areas to the west of the archaeological zone might yield further evidence of the settlement. However, the depth of soil over the archaeological remains make it unlikely that very clear or easily interpretable results would be produced by extending the magnetometry survey area. Equally, to the east the continuation of the possible forum is hidden by the remainder of the previous modern Via Cassia and therefore geophysical survey in this area would also prove unsuccessful.; it Dal 3 al 17 maggio 2002 si è svolta una campagna di ricognizione geofisica e topografica su un’area di circa 2 ettari intorno agli scavi archeologici della stazione viaria Baccanas ad opera di un team della British School at Rome e dell’Università di Cambridge. La ricognizione era parte di un lavoro continuo condotto nell’ambito del progetto AHRB basato sulle città romane nella media e bassa valle del Tevere, diretto da Simon Keay (University of Southampton) e Martin Millett (Cambridge University).

L’indagine ha potuto beneficiare dell’uso di una strategia di ricognizione integrata visto che i dati topografici in fase di interpretazione sono stati ampiamente completati dai risultati magnetometrici. Questi non erano così chiari quanto ci si sarebbe potuti aspettare a causa delle difficoltà presentate dalla distribuzione superficiale del materiale e della profondità della sequenza archeologica intorno ai limiti dell’area di ricognizione. Comunque le ricerche sono state soddisfacenti poiché hanno accresciuto la conoscenza del sito dietro l’area scavata e reso evidente le possibilità di un’ulteriore estensione del sito.

I risultati delle indagini suggeriscono che l’area circostante la zona occidentale della mansio potrebbe restituire evidenze per la continuità dell’insediamento. Tuttavia la profondità del suolo al di sopra dei resti archeologici rende improbabile che si potranno produrre risultati interpretabili molto chiaramente o facilmente estendendo l’area dell’indagine magnetometrica. Ugualmente sul fronte orientale, la possibile continuazione del foro è nascosta dai resti della precedente via Cassi moderna e quindi l’indagine geofisica in quest’area non produrrebbe esiti.
Summary Author: Paul S. Johnson
Director: Simon Keay; Martin Millett
Research Body: University of Southampton; The British School at Rome; University of Cambridge
Funding Body: Arts and Humanities Research Board

Team

Archaeologist - Helen Woodhouse