Survey of the Isola Sacra

The first season of survey of the Isola Sacra (2007) focused upon its north-eastern corner, close to the intersection of the Fossa Traiana and the Tiber at the Capo Due Rami (Martin Millett, University of Cambridge and Paola Germoni (Soprintendenza di beni Archeologici de Ostia). The results so far have been very encouraging. In the first instance they show clearly that the Fossa Traiana is a man-made feature, as it cuts across the grain of the underlying coastal geology. They have revealed details of the settlement between the Terme di Matidia and San Ippolito, traces of structures adjacent to the Fossa Traiana (possibly related to the Statio Marmorum), tomb enclosures overlooking the Tiber, and an important road running from the SE in the direction of the Isola Sacra cemetery. Work for 2009 and 2010 will focus upon areas to the south down to the north side of the Tiber opposite Ostia.