• About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Donation
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
Archaeology News
  • Home
  • News
    • Archaeology
    • Anthropology
    • Paleontology
  • Academics
    • Books
    • Conferences
    • Universities
  • Articles
  • VR Tours
  • Quiz & Game
  • Download
  • Encyclopedia
  • Forum
Archaeology News
No Result
View All Result
Home News Archaeology

Roman capitolium temple identified in Italy

by Dario Radley
August 25, 2023

A recent archaeological discovery has illuminated the history of Sarsina, a tranquil village nestled in Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region. The village has long been associated with ancient history. Now, it’s attracting attention due to the unearthing of a remarkably well-preserved Roman temple, believed to be a capitolium, dating back to the 1st century BCE.

Roman capitolium temple identified in Italy
Credit: Italy’s Ministry of Culture

In antiquity, Sarsina was a settlement of the Umbri, an Italic people who eventually succumbed to Roman conquest during the 3rd century BCE.

Following the annexation of Umbri territories, Sarsina emerged as a prominent hub in a pastoral district. It also happens to be the birthplace of Plautus, a renowned Roman playwright whose comedies are among the earliest surviving Latin literary works.

The temple’s unveiling occurred serendipitously during modern construction efforts in December 2022, which included plans for a parking lot, fitness center, and playground. As workers cleared the area for these new facilities, they stumbled upon the ancient ruins, halting their original construction plans.

The temple, identified as a capitolium, is an impressive structure constructed from horizontal sandstone blocks and marble slabs, covering an area of 577 square meters.

RelatedStories

Roman cavalry swords lead to discovery of Iron Age settlement and possible Roman villa in Gloucestershire. Credit: James Haris

Roman cavalry swords lead to discovery of Iron Age settlement and possible Roman villa in Gloucestershire

July 7, 2025
Exceptionally preserved Roman wicker well with ladder unearthed in Norfolk

Exceptionally preserved Roman wicker well with ladder unearthed in Norfolk

July 4, 2025

Archaeologists have identified three separate rooms within it, likely dedicated to the Roman gods Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva. This discovery has led to speculation that Sarsina may have served as a significant trade hub, connecting various Roman cities in the northern and central regions of Italy.

What makes this finding exceptional is the temple’s remarkable state of preservation. Unlike many similar structures that fell victim to plundering, invasions, and repurposing over the millennia, Sarsina’s capitolium remains nearly untouched. Its entrance staircase, along with other architectural elements, has survived the test of time.

The capitolium is a testament to the strategic role Sarsina played during the Roman Empire, situated near the Tuscan border and overlooking the vital Savio River, which connected central and northern Roman cities.

Roman capitolium temple identified in Italy
Credit: Italy’s Ministry of Culture

Local authorities are now reconsidering their construction plans, with a commitment to preserving the ancient ruins. Federica Gonzato, the superintendent of archaeology, fine arts, and landscape for the provinces of Ravenna, Rimini, and Forlì-Cesena, is passionate about ensuring the temple’s protection and further exploration. She emphasizes that the temple’s discovery sheds light on the rise and fall of ancient Roman towns over time, making it a crucial piece of Italy’s historical puzzle.

Beyond the temple’s platform, additional findings hint at its enduring significance throughout the Middle Ages. Archaeologists have uncovered evidence of medieval use, including burials, hearths, and an ancient water drainage system. These remnants paint a vivid picture of the temple’s continued importance throughout history.

As excavation work continues, experts anticipate that more revelations about Sarsina’s past will come to light. Gennaro Sangiuliano, Italy’s Minister of Culture, summed it up aptly when he said, “This finding is an important archaeological treasure that can offer valuable information about the history and evolution of a specific geographical area.”

As Italy celebrates its European Heritage Days on September 23 and 24, 2023, the temple will be officially unveiled to the public, solidifying Sarsina’s place as a captivating archaeological hub.

ShareTweetShareShareSend

You May Also Like...

Rare medieval knight tombstone discovered in heart of Gdańsk
Archaeology

Rare medieval knight tombstone discovered in heart of Gdańsk

July 7, 2025
Lighthouse of Alexandria rises again as 22 massive blocks resurface from the seafloor after 2,000 years
Archaeology

Lighthouse of Alexandria rises again as 22 massive blocks resurface from the seafloor after 2,000 years

July 7, 2025
Roman cavalry swords lead to discovery of Iron Age settlement and possible Roman villa in Gloucestershire. Credit: James Haris
Archaeology

Roman cavalry swords lead to discovery of Iron Age settlement and possible Roman villa in Gloucestershire

July 7, 2025
Copper Age infant discovered in Italian well reveals rare genetic origins
Anthropology

Copper Age infant discovered in Italian well reveals rare genetic origins

July 6, 2025
A complete earlier medieval (probably circa 12th century) iron sword. Credit: Suffolk County Council, Dr Anna Booth / CC BY 2.0
Archaeology

Fisherman uncovers remarkably preserved medieval sword in Warsaw’s Vistula River

July 5, 2025
Ancient sloth bone from Uruguay shows signs of possible human-inflicted trauma 33,000 years ago
Archaeology

Ancient sloth bone from Uruguay shows signs of possible human-inflicted trauma 33,000 years ago

July 5, 2025

Follow us


Instagram
247K

Facebook
110K

Threads
43K

LinkedIn
12K

Twitter
6K

YouTube
1K
  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Shipwreck Salvage. Credit: rawpixel.com / Public Domain

2,000-year-old shipwreck discovered off Turkish coast with remarkably preserved stacked ceramics

July 2, 2025
Viking age DNA reveals 9,000-year-old HIV-resistant gene originating near the Black Sea

Viking age DNA reveals 9,000-year-old HIV-resistant gene originating near the Black Sea

May 18, 2025
Neanderthals operated prehistoric “fat factory” 125,000 years ago on German lakeshore, study finds

Neanderthals operated prehistoric “fat factory” 125,000 years ago on German lakeshore

July 3, 2025
Exceptionally large Roman shoes discovered at Magna fort near Hadrian’s Wall

Exceptionally large Roman shoes discovered at Magna fort near Hadrian’s Wall

July 3, 2025
Genetic study reveals the origin and diversity of the Huns

European Huns were not of Turkic origin but had ancient Siberian roots, linguistic study reveals

June 24, 2025
$1 million prize offered to decipher 5,300-year-old Indus Valley script

$1 million prize offered to decipher 5,300-year-old Indus Valley script

Oldest ever genetic data from a human relative found in 2-million-year-old fossilized teeth

Oldest ever genetic data from a human relative found in 2-million-year-old fossilized teeth

A 21-year-old student successfully deciphered the first word from the Herculaneum scrolls, charred during Mount Vesuvius' eruption

A 21-year-old student successfully deciphered the first word from the Herculaneum scrolls, charred during Mount Vesuvius’ eruption

New evidence reveals the source of mercury in the mausoleum of the first Qin emperor

New evidence reveals the source of mercury in the mausoleum of the first Qin emperor

Oldest US firearm discovered in Arizona: a 500-year-old relic of Coronado's expedition

Oldest US firearm discovered in Arizona: a 500-year-old relic of Coronado’s expedition

Rare medieval knight tombstone discovered in heart of Gdańsk

Rare medieval knight tombstone discovered in heart of Gdańsk

July 7, 2025
Lighthouse of Alexandria rises again as 22 massive blocks resurface from the seafloor after 2,000 years

Lighthouse of Alexandria rises again as 22 massive blocks resurface from the seafloor after 2,000 years

July 7, 2025
Roman cavalry swords lead to discovery of Iron Age settlement and possible Roman villa in Gloucestershire. Credit: James Haris

Roman cavalry swords lead to discovery of Iron Age settlement and possible Roman villa in Gloucestershire

July 7, 2025
Copper Age infant discovered in Italian well reveals rare genetic origins

Copper Age infant discovered in Italian well reveals rare genetic origins

July 6, 2025
A complete earlier medieval (probably circa 12th century) iron sword. Credit: Suffolk County Council, Dr Anna Booth / CC BY 2.0

Fisherman uncovers remarkably preserved medieval sword in Warsaw’s Vistula River

July 5, 2025

Archaeology News online magazine

Archaeology News is an international online magazine that covers all aspects of archaeology.











Categories

  • Academics
    • Books
    • Conferences
    • Universities
  • Articles
  • Download
  • Game
  • News
    • Anthropology
    • Archaeology
    • Paleontology
  • Quiz
  • Tours

Subscribe to our newsletter

© 2024 - Archaeology News Online Magazine. All Rights Reserved.

  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Donation
  • Contact

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

  • Home
  • News
    • Archaeology
    • Anthropology
    • Paleontology
  • Academics
    • Books
    • Conferences
    • Universities
  • Articles
  • VR Tours
  • Quiz & Game
  • Download
  • Encyclopedia
  • Forum

About  .  Contact  .  Donation

© 2024 - Archaeology News Online Magazine. All Rights Reserved

We use cookies to improve your experience and enable functionality and security of this site. Further detail is available in our Privacy Policy. By accepting all cookies, you consent to our use of cookies and use of data.