4070) Did You Know Series (112): Archaeologists Uncover Hidden Roman Arts District – Coins
and Ancient Treasures Revealed:
Archaeologists have uncovered a hidden Roman arts
district in Suasa, revealing ancient coins, pottery, and treasures that shed
light on the city’s thriving industrial past.
Archaeologists Uncover Hidden Roman Arts District – Coins
And Ancient Treasures Revealed:
In the ancient Roman city of Suasa, nestled near the
Cesano River, a significant archaeological discovery has been made. Recent
excavations have revealed a sprawling production district once dedicated to
coin and pottery manufacturing.
This discovery provides new insights into the economic
infrastructure of the Roman Empire, showcasing a highly specialised area of
commerce and craftsmanship in Suasa, a city founded following the Battle of
Sentinum in 295 B.C.
In Castelleone di Suasa you can enter a magic time
machine and live the unique experience of walking around an ancient Roman city.
You will discover the ancient Roman city of Suasa and walk across the Forum to
visit the remains of a Roman house (domus) that belonged to the senatorial
family of Coiedii.
With the enlargements carried out in the II century A.D. the
house was enriched with large rooms magnificently decorated with precious
mosaic floors and wall paintings. The walk ends with a visit to the Roman
amphitheater, one of the largest in the Marche region.
The research team from the University of Bologna,
which
led the excavation, has unearthed an
extraordinary number of coins and several
nearly
intact vases, shedding light on the scale of production
and the trade
networks that operated in this region.
Suasa was an important Roman city with strong economic
ties to Rome, thanks to its strategic location along major roads like the Via
Flaminia. Its rapid growth in the first century B.C. made it an administrative
and commercial centre.
The recent findings show that Suasa’s prominence extended
into arts and crafts, indicating that the city was not only a hub of politics
but also a vital point for the production of goods, which were likely traded
across the empire.
The discovery of the “production district,” located just
outside the city center, includes structures that date back to the height of
Suasa’s prosperity.
The Unveiling of a Production District in
Suasa:
The excavation of Suasa’s production district is a
fascinating look into Roman industry.
The district was located along “main street,” where
workshops and facilities for crafting pottery and coins once stood.
The site was meticulously analysed using drone
photography and geophysical surveys, and once the excavation began, the team
uncovered impressive remains of pottery kilns, production areas, and thousands
of coins.
The University of Bologna research team revealed that
they unearthed an “extraordinary quantity of coins and some nearly intact
vases,” shedding light on the scale of industrial activity within the city.
The Role of Suasa in Roman Administration and Economy:
Suasa, strategically located near the Cesano River,
became a major Roman administrative center after its founding. It was well
connected to the rest of the empire through major roads like the Via Flaminia
and Via Salaria Gallica. These routes facilitated the movement of goods and
people, which helped to expand Suasa’s influence.
By the second century A.D.,
the city reached its peak, housing monumental buildings such as forums,
theaters, and temples.
Suasa’s political autonomy allowed it to thrive under its
own magistrates while maintaining close ties with Rome. The city was an
important regional center that contributed to the Roman Empire’s stability and
expansion. As archaeologists continued their work, they uncovered residential
and commercial areas, including a grand Domus—an upper-class residence adorned
with mosaics and wall paintings. These findings help to illustrate the city’s
complexity and its role as a vital part of Roman life.
Decline and Abandonment of Suasa:
Despite its initial prosperity, Suasa experienced a
gradual decline starting in the second half of the third century A.D. The city,
once bustling with economic activity, saw its population dwindle as the
political and social dynamics of the Roman Empire shifted.
“The goal of this
year’s research was to investigate the city’s boundaries to better understand
the transition between the settlement and the necropolis,” explained Enrico
Giorgi, professor in the Department of History, Cultures, and Civilisations at
the University of Bologna.
This shift in the city’s fortunes coincided with broader
changes in the empire during the later years of Roman rule.
By the sixth
century A.D., Suasa had been abandoned, with many of its residents retreating
to the more defensible hill regions.
The artifacts left behind in the city,
such as coins and pottery, were untouched by those who fled, offering a rare
glimpse into the final days of a once-thriving urban centre.
The Twelve Apostles Coin Series:
1) "The Twelve Apostles", Vatican City: The Twelve Apostles Coin Series: The first Silver Coins of 5- and 10-Euro minted by the "Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca Dello Stato" (IPZS) on behalf of "Coommercializzazione Filatelica e Numismatica" (CFN) feature St. Peter & St. Andrew: Date of Coins issued: 10.11.2022
2) St.Andrew, Vatican Mint: A 10 Euro 22-gm Silver Proof Coin: The second Coin in "The Twelve Apostles Coin Series": Year of Coin issue: 2022
3) St. Peter and the Rooster star on latest Vatican 20 Euro coin issued by the CFN (Commercialzzone Filatelica E Numasmatica - Vatican City): "Art and Faith Coin Series: Year of Coin issue: 2024
4) St. Bartholomew, Vatican Mint: A 10 Euro 22 gm Silver Proof Coin: The Sixth Coin in "The Twelve Apostles Coin Series": Year of Coin issue: 2024
5) St. John, Vatican Mint: A 5 Euro 22-gm Silver Proof Coin: The Third Coin in "The Twelve Apostles Coin Series": Year of Coin issue: 2023
6) St. James the Greater, Vatican Mint: A 10 Euro 22-gm Silver Proof Coin: The Fourth Coin in "The Twelve Apostles Coin Series": Year of Coin issue: 2023
7) Saint Philip, Vatican Mint: A 5 Euro 22-gm Silver Prfoof Coin: The Fifth Coin in "The Twelve Apostles Coin Series": Dare/Year of Coin issue: 2024
For some other interesting posts from Italy/The Vatican, please visit the following links:
The Fountains of Italy Coin Series:
Other Links:
35) St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican (San Pietro in Vaticano), Republic of Palau: "Tiffany Art Metropolis Coin Series - San Pietro": Coin Invest Trust (CIT) has coordinated the issue of $500 (Gold) and $25 (Silver Coins minted by B.H. Mayer's Kunstprageanstalt GmbH at their facilities in Munich: Year of Coin issue: 2022
36) "The Twelve Apostles", Vatican City: The Twelve Apostles Coin Series: The first Silver Coins of 5- and 10-Euro minted by the "Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca Dello Stato" (IPZS) on behalf of "Coommercializzazione Filatelica e Numismatica" (CFN) feature St. Peter & St. Andrew: Date of Coins issued: 10.11.2022
37) "Towards the Holy Year 2025", Vatican City: A 200 Euro Gold Coin issued by the Commercializzazone Filatelica e Numismatica (CFN) to commemorate the three-year programme (2022-2023-2024) culminting in 2025: Date/Year of Coin issue: 19.12.2022
38) "Bergamo and Brescia", Italy: Five Euro Commemorative Copper Coins issued by the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato Italiano (IPZS) showcases the designated Italian Cultural Capital Cities: Date/Year of Coin issue: 20.02.2023
39) Luigi Vanvitelli (12.05.1700-01.03.1773), Architect and Painter, Italy: 250th Anniversary of his passing away: Five Euro (Silver) and Twenty Euro (Gold) Coins issued by the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato Italiano (IPZS) commemorate this celebrated Baroque Era Architect: Date/Year of Coin issue: 21.02.2023
40) "The Lateran Pacts between the Italian State and the Holy See", Vatican City State: 90th Anniversary Celebrations (1929-2019): The Ufficio Filetelco E. Numismatico (Office of the Philatelic and Numismatic Bureau of the Vatican) has issued an embroidered postage stamp of 8.40 Euro depicting the Coat of Arms of the Vatican City State: Date/Year of Stamp issue: 2019 (Reissued on 12.12.2022)
41) Environmental Protection as enshrined in the Italian Constitution, Italy: A Square-shaped bi-metallic Silver and Copper 5 Euro Coin brought out by the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato Italiano (IPZS) highlights environmental protection in the Italian constitution: Date of Coin issue: 27.04.2023
42) "The Resurrection of Christ" ("CHRISTVS RESVRREXIT"), Vatican City State: Rectangular-shaped Silver Proof and Colour Coins feature Renaissance painter Pietro Vannucci's (also known as "Perugino") masterpiece, presently in the Apostolic Palace Library: Date/Year of Coin issue: 04/2023
43) The Second Vatican Council - Nostra Aetate (In Our Time), Vatican City State: A 100 Euro Gold Coin minted by the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato Italiano (IPZS) at their facilities in Rome on behalf of the Treasury Department of the Vatican City State: Date/Year of Coin issue: 2023
44) The history of the Olympics in Italy - TRiTTICO Cortina 1956, Rome 1960, Turin 2006, Republic of Italy (Repubblica Italiana): Three 20 Euro Gold Coins issued by the Istututo Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato Italiano (IPZS) celebrate the selection of 2026 Winter Olympics in the City of Cortino Italy: Date/Year of Coin issue: 07.09.2023
45) A Euro Coin Set - 2018, Vatican City State: An eight (8) Coin Set issued by the Commercializzazione Filatelica e Numismatica on Euro Coins: Coins minted by the IPZS Italy on behalf of the "Stato Della Citta Del Vaticano" (The Vatican City State") in 2018
46) Remembrance to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, Vatican City: Coins issued by Commercializzazione Filetelica e Numismatica on 10 Euro Silver Coins: Coins minted by the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato Italiano (IPZS) Italy on behalf of the "Stato Della Citta Del Vaticano" ("The Vatican City State"): Date of Coin issue: 26.10.2023
47) The Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato Italiano (IPZS) at their facilities in Rome on behalf of the Treasury Department of the Vatican City State has issued the first of two commemorative 10 Euro coins which mark 2025 and the Holy Year Pilgrims of Hope: Date/Year of Coins issue: 12/2023
48) Pesaro, Italy: The Italian City designatied as the 2024 European Capital of Culture (ECOC):Date of Coin issue: 26.01,2024
49) Around the World Voyage of the Amerigo Vespucci, Italy's oldest Naval Vessel: A 5 Euro Silv er Proof & Colour Coin presents the voyage of the v essel: Date of Coin issue: 08.03.2024
50) St. Peter and the Rooster star on latest Vatican 20 Euro coin issued by the CFN (Commercialzzone Filatelica E Numasmatica - Vatican City: "Art and Faith Coin Series: Year of Coin issue: 2024;
51) Pope Francis Coin Card, Vatican City: A 1 Euro Base Metal Coin: The Commercializzazione Filatelica e Numismatica " (CFN) has issued a 1 Euro Copper Coin minted by the Istituto Poligrafico e Zella dello State (or State Mint and Polygraphic Institute - IPZS), Italy: Date/Year of Coin issue: 2024
52) The Vatican Coin Set: The "Commercializzazione Filatelica e Numismatica" (CFN) has issued an eight (8) Copper-Nickel (CuNi) Coin Set minted by the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato ("State Mint and Poligraphic Institute - IPZS"), Italy: Date/Year of Coin set issue: 2024
53) Concordat between the Holy See and the Republic of Poland, Poland: Rectangular Silver Proof Coins Mark the 100th Anniversary of the conclusion of the Concordat (1925-2025): Date/Year of Coin issue: 06.02.2025
54) Did You Know Series (103): Between One Pope and the Next - the Sede Vacante (meaning "Vacant Seat:) Coins are issued:
55) Cardinal Robert Prevost is Pope Leo XIV, the 267th Pope, United States of America (USA): A 1-oz Silver Election of Pope Leo XIV Round: Date/Year of Round issue: 08.05.2025
56) The Pontifical Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompeii and Pope Francis: Citta Del Vaticano (Vatican City): The IPZS, Italy (in English, it translates to State Printing Works and Mint) has minted a 50 Euro Gold Coin which features a kneeling Late Pope Francis on one face and The Shrine on the other:: Year of Coin issue: 2015
57) The Pontifical Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompeii and Pope Francis, CITTA DEL VATICANO (Vatican City): The Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato (IPZS), Italy (In English, it translates to State Printing Works and Mint) has minted a 20 Euro Gold Coin which features Late Pope Francis on one face and the Virgin Mary with a crown sitting on a throne and holding the baby Jesus Christ, with angels kneeling on the sides, on the other: Year of Coin issue: 2015
58) "Beloved Opera, Norma by Bellini, Republic of Italy (Repubblica Italiana): 5 Euro Silver Colour and Proof Rectangular Coins issued b y the IPZS" Date/Year of Coin issue: 24.06.2025
59) Did You Know Series (112): Archeologists Uncover Hidden Roman Arts District - Coins and Ancient Treasures Revealed
Links to Posts on Marco Polo on this Blog:
1) Marco Polo, Explorer, Italy (1254-8/9.01.1324): A 10 Euro Silver Coin issued by Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca di Stato, the Italian State Mint (2018)
2) Marco Polo (1254-1324), Venetian Traveller, Italy: The royal Dutch Mint (RDM) has brought out this special Silver strike of a Gold florin: Date/Year of Coin issue: 2024
Posts on the Ryder Cup on this Blog:
i) The 2014 Ryder Cup Commemorative Banknote: Commemorating the Ryder Cup, Europe with a 5 Pound Sterling Banknote issued by the Royal Bank of Scotland
ii) The 44th Ryder Cup held in Italy: 10 Euro Silver Coins with applied colour and concave centre brought out by the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato Italiano (IPZS) marks the conduct of the prestigious Ryder Cup in Italy for the first time: Date of Coin issue: 18.09.2023
Italian Excellence Coin Series:
No comments:
Post a Comment