2011 summer archaeological projects successfully completed

Summer Archaeological Field School
After our patented week-long survey of Rome's archaeological heritage, this summer we introduced our 42 excavation students to three incredibly rich and diverse projects: the northern slopes of the Palatine Hill in the Roman Forum (University of Rome "La Sapienza"), the important Roman sanctuary at Sant'Omobono on the banks of the Tiber (University of Michigan and University of Calabria), and the Archaic Latin city of Gabii (University of MIchigan), the last being the largest American excavation project currently working in Italy.  Alberto Prieto once again coordinated the Summer Archaeological Field School, and many thanks are due to Prof. John Pollini of USC who provided logistical help, brilliant lectures on ancient art, and a contingent of 11 Californians.

Ostia Antica Conservation Project in Region III Insula 1.14
Invited by dott. Angelo Pellegrino, Director of Ostia Antica, AIRC began a collaborative effort with the Superintendency of Rome and Ales, spa (led by dott. Enrico Rinaldi) to complement their conservation work in Region III, on the Via della Foce across the street from the Sanctuary of Hercules.  In this effort, where vegetation overgrowth has been recently cleared and walls recapped by Ales, AIRC began to address the age-old problem of vegetation regrowth after conservation work in a limited test area.  In our initial survey, in which we produced drawings of the walls of a single room, we then uncovered the floor (in May and June-July periods) to reveal the ancient levels in order to understand and document the many periods of occupation.  In the final phase of this project, we will cover the floor this fall with a new sand that is both impervious to biological growth and totally reversible.  Our colleagues at the Villa of the Quintilii have had great success with this inexpensive material, and we look forward to implementing this phase in the fall. We are also looking forward to expanding this project in coming months, and we give special thanks to dott. Pellegrino, long-standing AIRC excavator Jeff Edwards, and new archaeologist collaborator dott.ssa Claudia Micari!

Villa delle Vignacce Excavation Research
Long-time AIRC collaborator Chris Renaud (Professor of Classics, Carthage College) continued her research on the brickstamps from the Villa delle Vignacce site, excavated by AIRC in 2006-2009, utilizing the library of the American Academy.  Project directors dott.ssa Dora Cirone and Darius turned in the final documentation reports and catalog of materials from the 2008-2009 seasons, with complete site plans in building phases.