Die konstantinische Bischofskirche von Ostia. Vorbericht zur ersten Grabungskampagne 2023

As part of an urban research project to investigate the unexcavated areas of Ostia (1996-2002), a large church complex was discovered in the south of Regio V by means of geophysical prospection and aerial photography. It was soon assumed that this complex might be the long-sought bishop‘s church of Ostia dedicated by Constantine the Great. Small scale stratigraphic excavations carried out in 1997/98 confirmed this hypothesis and allowed first conclusions to be drawn about the chronology of the complex. However, numerous questions about its architectural design, long-term development and liturgical furnishing remained unanswered. The study of the Constantinian episcopal church has now been resumed as part of an international research project funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG). In the first excavation season 2023 large parts of the eastern church nave, including its apse, have been excavated providing new important insights into its construction details and building phases. Some surprising observations were also made regarding the use of the area before the church was built.