Geoarchaeological investigations in the area of the imperial harbours of Rome

Résumé En It Fr

This paper shows the results of a geoarchaeological study carried out in the area of the ancient harbours of Rome, built by the Emperors Claudius and Traianus. Lithostratigraphic, biostratigraphic, chronological (14C) and geophysical surveys have allowed us to define several features of the harbour complex, which is today largely buried under modern sediments. This complex was built near an ancient river mouth, which was already inactive at the time. In particular, the Claudian basin was protected by two curved piers separated by a wide entrance facing the open sea. The basin was approximately 5-7 m in depth and was filled for the most part during the Middle Ages by marine and alluvial sediments.

Il presente lavoro illustra i risultati di uno studio geo-archeologico effettuato nell’area degli antichi porti di Roma, costruiti dagli imperatori Claudius e Traianus. Rilievi litologici, biostratigrafici, cronologici e geofisici hanno permesso di definire la struttura del complesso portuale, che è attualmente sepolto da sedimenti recenti. Questo complesso fu costruito vicino alla foce di un fiume, già all’epoca inattivo. In particolare, il bacino Claudiano era protetto da due moli curvi separati da un’ampia entrata di fronte al mare aperto. Il bacino era profondo circa 5-7 m e fu colmato in larga parte durante il Medioevo da sedimenti marini e alluvionali.

Cet article présente les résultats d’une étude géoarchéologique dans la zone des ports antiques de Rome construits par les empereurs Claude et Trajan. Des analyses lithologiques, biostratigraphiques, géochronologiques et géophysiques ont permis d’identifier les structures du complexe portuaire, qui est de nos jours complètement colmaté de sédiments. Cet ensemble portuaire a été fondé à proximité d’une ancienne embouchure du Tibre. Le bassin de Claude était protégé par deux môles incurvés délimitant une vaste passe donnant sur la mer ouverte. Le bassin présentait une colonne d’eau d’environ 5 à 7 m et a été colmaté en grande partie durant le Moyen Âge par des apports marins et fluviaux.