The "Domus of marine mosaics", in the archaeological area of the "Colonia Iulia Turris Libisonis", in Porto Torres, offers new treasures.
THE EXCAVATIONS - Since January, when a new excavation campaign began, the scholars of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage have managed to bring out a new environment with a floor mosaic and another large rectangular apsed room, opening unexplored scenarios on the ancient complex dating back to III century after Christ. The investigations concern the connection area between two areas of the "Domus" already emerged in the previous excavation campaign and on the drainage pipes of the thermal sector of the plant. Research in the area connecting the two floors of the "Domus" has revealed a new room with an irregular plan and covered with a large mosaic floor with a geometric motif and polychrome tesserae .
The original use of this space, characterized by a series of seats on all sides, seems to correspond to a changing room (apodyterium) functional to the spa.
FINDINGS - In the considerable volumes of earth removed, various types of finds of great historical and scientific interest have been found. In addition to numerous materials referable to the collapse of the walls and the roof, we have numerous remains of decorated plaster , with very bright colors and architectural, plant and anthropomorphic motifs. The abundant archaeozoological remains will also be studied, especially those of birds and fish , to understand the nature of their consumption, which could be food, but also linked to certain rituals.
During the excavations for the research of the ancient rainwater disposal system, a compartment was also found that ends with a semicircular wall and which appears to be of considerable size. This environment has characteristics that confirm the hypothesis that the building has experienced at least two periods of use, one attributable to the third century AD and a final one of the fourth-fifth century AD.
Even the ceramics and coins found are almost all relevant to a period between the second half of the 4th and the beginning of the 5th century AD.
The project, financed by the Ministry of Culture with € 577,200, is managed by the officials of the Superintendence of Archeology, Fine Arts and Landscape for the provinces of Sassari and Nuoro.
(Unioneonline / vl)
