The archaeological project ‘Bibione Antica (Venice, Italy)‘ not only focuses on the extensive Roman villa currently under excavation but also delves into the historical context of what was once one of the most significant areas in Northern Italy during the early centuries of the Roman empire.
VIEW THE VIDEO OF THE RESEARCH AND FINDINGS (English subtitles):
Watch the video of the research and findings (with English subtitles):
In March 2023, an excavation campaign at the Roman villa of Bibione, specifically at the Mutteron dei Frati site, yielded intriguing results. Beyond the peripheries of the Eastern Venetian lagoons, the geographical scope of the villa extends to what, in Roman times, fell under the dominion of the pivotal city of Concordia Sagittaria (Iulia Concordia). These excavations not only attest to the villa’s affluence but also underscore its strategic significance, particularly in late antiquity, as a hub specializing in weapon production for the Roman empire.
The project goes beyond excavation, involving systematic and stepwise inquiries into the terrain. Scholars from the University of Padua (Professor Maria Stella Busana) and the University of Regensburg, Germany (Professor Dirk Steuernagel, coordinated by Alice Vacilotto), in collaboration with the Superintendence for the Metropolitan Area of Venice (Alessandro Asta), conducted surveys from November 6 to December 1, 2023, targeting specific areas within the municipalities of Caorle and San Michele al Tagliamento. Recovered artifacts reveal traces of productive settlements, agricultural domains, and at least one Roman villa near the Alberoni canal. Mosaic tesserae, fine ceramics, and heating conduits substantiate the discernible comfort of proprietors over an extended epoch, spanning from the Augustan era to late antiquity.
Archaeologists elucidate the methodology behind these surveys. Researchers, including students from various universities, traverse the landscape along parallel trajectories, spaced 5 to 10 meters apart, identifying potential artifacts. Concentrations of evidence prompt intensified reconnaissance to document dispersion, with noteworthy items collated. In exceptional cases, geophysical investigations and coring activities facilitate subsurface exploration and reconstruct geomorphological and environmental features.
The research includes systematic surface surveys, coring initiatives, and geophysical examinations to amass data reconstructing the ancient landscape and understanding historical habitation and utilization patterns.
Historically, the region, with an active Archaeological Group of volunteers, has seen exploration. Roman-era evidence exists in San Michele al Tagliamento and Caorle, along the River Tagliamento. Late medieval findings are also documented. However, the spatial location of ancient ports at the Tagliamento estuaries and settlement dynamics along the coastal stretch remain uncertain.
Deciphering settlements along the paleochannels of the Tagliamento and understanding their productive distribution are crucial. Rediscovering the Roman port remains an objective of paramount archaeological significance.
Note: The project is financially supported by the German Research Foundation (DFG-Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft), in conjunction with the University of Padua, and has the backing of the municipalities of Caorle and San Michele al Tagliamento, as well as the proprietors of Valgrande and the lessee. For detailed information on the project, refer to “Bibione Antica: Discovering the past.”