Excavations at Amiternum Reveal a Newborn’s Tomb

L’aquila: A tomb containing the skeletal remains of a newborn, as well as fragments of a mosaic floor and parts of building foundation walls, were identified during the first excavation campaign promoted by the National Museum of Abruzzo in L’Aquila at the Amiternum Archaeological Park, archaeologists said Tuesday.

According to Ansa News Agency, Amiternum was an ancient Sabine city, later becoming a Roman city and bishopric in the central Abruzzo region of modern Italy, located 9 km from L’Aquila. The city, defeated by Rome in 293 BC, was the birthplace of the historian Sallust.

The archaeological research was made possible through a grant from the Directorate General of Museums of the Ministry of Culture. The focus was on the amphitheater of the ancient Roman city and the “peristyle domus,” aiming to gain a greater understanding of the history and function of these significant, yet lesser-known, monuments.

Two stratigraphic excavation trials were carried out in addition to documentation and surveying, washing, labeling, and pre-cataloging of the finds. Within the peristyle domus, three rooms were identified, two of which have mosaic floors. The building is organized around a large rectangular courtyard, featuring rooms of various sizes, decorated with mosaics and polychrome plaster.

The foundation walls of both structures were uncovered in the space between the amphitheater, dating to the second half of the 1st century AD, and the domus. A newborn’s tomb was also discovered in this area, adding to the site’s historical significance.

The excavation results were shared at a press conference at the Archaeological Park. Federica Zalabra, director of Munda, stated, “The data acquired allows us to better understand the chronology, relationships, and dynamics between the two monuments. They reassure us that future excavation campaigns will provide a complete picture of the monuments, extending the excavations and offering visitors to the Park the opportunity to view what the archaeologists have discovered.”