Discovered in Aquileia a section of the main road from Roman times: it connected the city to Austria

During routine operations, a section of theancient Via Iulia Augusta, one of the main arteries of Roman times, was discovered in Aquileia. From Aquileia the Roman road led to Noricum, present-day Austria.

As a result of the discovery, it was decided to initiate an in-depth study, taking the opportunity to survey and position in the topography of the city of Aquileia the eastern edge of the road, which represented the maximum hinge of the colony.
Until now, the road layout had been intercepted in several places, but without ever defining at least one of the limits. This discovery therefore proves to be very significant in reconstructing Aquileia’s road system.

Investigations also focused on a strip immediately east of the excavation, where ancient canalization structures, probably sewer or aqueduct sections, appear to be compromised by an ancient spoliation pit, dug to obtain building material for reuse. The layer of topsoil that was unearthed can be traced back to a massive land reclamation project aimed at urbanizing the northern sector of Aquileia, already identified during previous investigations and dated to the early 1st century BC.C.: this is evidenced by ceramic materials, similar to others discovered in the oldest levels of the macellum north of the Forum, including two stamps of Adriatic amphorae.

The remains of some living spaces or workshops, referable to the late imperial period, have also emerged. Interesting is the presence of a mortar floor, which can be interpreted as a floor preparation.

“Aquileia never ceases to amaze,” commented Mayor Emanuele Zorino, “and it is a thrill to see how archaeology is an intrinsic part of our territory; every excavation, in this case and as in so many cases for civic reasons, reminds us of the immense heritage that the city of Aquileia materially holds. A singular relationship between living city and city of cultural heritage that has always characterized the uniqueness that Aquileia represents. That uniqueness on which our administration bets so much and which can become a flywheel for economy and tourism. Even more so in this case where the exploration has brought to light part of the maximum hinge, a symbol of the Roman road network of which Aquileia was a crossroads.”

Discovered in Aquileia a section of the main road from Roman times: it connected the city to Austria

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