Florence: Roman necropolis found during tramway work

In Florence, a Roman necropolis dating back to the 1st century AD has been found during work on the new tramway lines.
During the presentation of the Tourisma event in Florence, superintendent Andrea Pessina and archaeologist Monica Salvini revealed its discovery. The necropolis extends from the spaces around the current train station on Via Valfonda to the northernmost part, reaching as far as the boulevards.

Inside, buried bodies, burned according to the ancient Roman rite of "Bustum," were found still intact, including, under Valfonda Street, a skeleton dating back to the 1st century A.D., complete with rich grave goods. Pessina said the intention is to display the findings in an exhibition, which will be organized in the coming months.

According to Salvini, the necropolis, “used between the first and second centuries A.D., may have housed up to several thousand bodies.” From the bowels of Piazza Adua, also in the Station area, also emerged the remains of “a large room, with huge jars, which could turn out to be the equivalent of a modern dyehouse,” Salvini further says, “and in Piazza dell’Unità, parts of a domus, later probably transformed into a craft workshop. These vestiges, too, should date back to the 1st century A.D. Archaeological excavations have already been completed and ”there has been no interference with respect to the streetcar construction sites," Salvini concludes.

Pictured: part of the Florence Tramway route. Ph. Credit Gabriele Foltran.

Florence: Roman necropolis found during tramway work

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