Geo-archaeological investigations in the area of the imperial harbours of Rome

This paper shows the results of a geoarchaeological study carried out in the area of the ancient harbours of Rome, built by the Emperors Claudius and Traianus. Lithostratigraphic, biostratigraphic, chronological (l4C) and geophysical surveys have allowed us to define several features of the harbour complex, which is today largely buried under modern sediments. This complex was built near an ancient river mouth, which was already inactive at the time. In particular, the Claudian basin was protected by two curved piers separated by a wide entrance facing the open sea. The basin was approximately 5-7 m in depth and was filled for the most part during the Middle Ages by marine and alluvial sediments.