Contribution of integrated geophysical survey to the archaeological investigation of the ‘Villa degli Antonini’

Abstract

During geophysical investigations (2010- 2011) at the archaeological site of the ‘Villa degli Antonini’ in Genzano di Roma (RM, Italy), detection and location of underground buried structures using different instruments and techniques were carried out. In this paper we describe the results of an investigation obtained with integrated geophysical survey techniques: electromagnetic induction (EMI), magnetometry (MAG) and ground penetrating radar (GPR). Magnetometry and electromagnetic induction measurements revealed an elliptical depression with a N/NE–S/SW orientation (major axis ca. 50 m, minor axis ca. 25 m). On the basis of these results, GPR measurements were taken to enhance the characterization of smaller and more deeply buried features in order to obtain a more detailed picture of the underground structures. Excavation in targeted areas showed that the elliptical structure is an amphitheatre, possibly the one where, according to the ancient sources, the Roman emperor Commodus (ruled 180-192) earned the nickname “Roman Hercules”.