Jan Bartek – AncientPages.com – In the ancient Roman city of Gabii, just 11 miles east of Rome, a remarkable discovery has come to light. Under the guidance of University of Missouri professor Marcello Mogetta, archaeologists have unearthed the remains of a vast stone-lined basin, partially carved into bedrock.
Dating back to around 250 B.C.—and possibly even earlier—this extraordinary man-made structure stands as a testament to human ingenuity and vision. It may well be one of the earliest examples of Roman monumental architecture beyond temples and city walls.
As Professor Mogetta, chair of Mizzou’s Department of Classics, Archaeology and Religion, explains: monumental architecture is more than just an impressive display—it is a powerful tool for political expression and societal transformation. This discovery not only deepens our understanding of ancient Rome but also inspires us to recognize how creativity and ambition can profoundly shape history.
“This discovery gives us a rare look at how the early Romans experimented with city planning,” he said. “Its location — at the center of the city near the main crossroads — suggests it may have been a monumental pool that was part of the city’s forum, or the heart of public life in Roman towns. Since archaeologists still don’t fully know what the early Roman Forum truly looked like, Gabii provides an invaluable window into its development.”
This finding expands upon the team’s previous research at Gabii, notably their work on the “Area F Building,” a terraced structure integrated into the slope of the ancient volcanic crater that shaped the city’s development.
Credit: Marcello Mogetta
Collectively, these discoveries illustrate how Roman builders drew inspiration from Greek architecture. The Greeks, through landmarks such as the Parthenon and the Agora, introduced features such as paved plazas, striking terraces, and impressive civic spaces designed for both visual impact and practical use. Early Romans adopted and adapted these architectural concepts to enhance their own urban environments.
Gabii occupies a special place in Roman history.
“While Rome’s earliest layers were buried beneath centuries of later construction, Gabii — a once-powerful neighbor and rival of Rome, first settled in the Early Iron Age — was largely abandoned by 50 B.C. and later reoccupied on a much smaller scale,” Mogetta, whose appointment is in Mizzou’s College of Arts and Science, said in a press release. “Because of this, Gabii’s original streets and building foundations are unusually well preserved, offering a rare glimpse into early Roman life.”
Recognizing the historical and cultural significance of the ancient city, Italy’s Ministry of Culture established Gabii as an archaeological park — now part of an autonomous institute, the Musei e Parchi Archeologici di Praeneste e Gabii. This designation has enabled researchers, including the international Gabii Project, to carefully explore and excavate the site. Last year, Mogetta became the research group’s new director.
Next summer, with support from the General Directorate of Museums in Italy, Gabii Project archaeologists will continue excavating what has accumulated in the basin over time and the area around it — featuring a large stone-paved area. In the future, they also plan to investigate a mysterious “anomaly” near the basin site. Initially revealed by thermal imaging scans, it could be a temple or another large civic building.
“If it’s a temple, it could help us explain some of the artifacts we’ve already found in the abandonment levels of the basin, such as intact vessels, lamps, perfume containers and cups inscribed with unusual markings,” Mogetta said. “Some of these objects may have been deliberately placed there as religious offerings or discarded in connection with the ritual closing of the pool around 50 C.E. — thus underscoring the crucial role played by water management in ancient cities.”
See also: More Archaeology News
The Gabii Project’s ongoing efforts play a crucial role in preserving, studying, and sharing the city’s ancient history for future generations. A central question guiding their research is whether civic spaces developed before religious centers or the other way around.
The answer could shed light on whether political or religious activities were more influential in shaping Rome’s earliest monumental landscapes. By analyzing these clues, Mogetta and his team aim to reconstruct not only the history of Gabii—tracing its growth, prosperity, and eventual decline—but also to deepen our understanding of Roman architecture and its lasting impact on modern society.
Written by Jan Bartek – AncientPages.com Staff Writer