This archaeological project will focus on the excavation of a Roman villa located in the Roman district area of Southern Umbria.  Through this area passed a Roman road built in the time of the Roman Emperor Trajan.
Trajan was responsible for the construction of several new roads in the Mediterranean area which bore the name, Via Traiana Nova.  These roads were built in Italy and also in regions as far away as Arabia Petrae.  One road in Italy with the name Via Traiana Nova was an extension of the Via Appia that extended to Brundisum in Southern Italy.  This extension was constructed because it was a shorter route than the road that extended to Tarentum.   Another road with the name Via Traiana Nova extended from Rome in the direction of Northern Italy.  Literary and Epigraphical records testify that this road passed through Umbria and near Castel Viscardo.
 
Our excavation project is near the town of Castel Viscardo, located at the southwest edge of Umbria approximately 8 miles northwest of Orvieto.  
Castel Viscardo is a quiet, small and charming town that was founded in the later Middle Ages.  Although small, it does have an impressive and photogenic castle as well as an elegant church, the Annunciazione de Maria, that dates back to the late 1600s.  
 
In the area of Castel Viscardo passed the above mentioned Via Traiana Nova as well as the Via Cassia.   In the area of Castel Viscardo have been found a number of Etruscan tombs with small necropoli that are located at nearby Le Callane and at Conventaccio.    It is also suspected that various Roman remains may be found in the area of the Castel Viscardo and probably have a relationship with the Via Traiana Nova.  Preliminary inspection of the area has located the remains of a Roman villa.  This villa lies immediately at the base of the immanence on which Castel Viscardo is located.  The excavation of this villa will be the objective of the excavation season of 2006.   Because it is suspected that the villa is large, subsequent excavation seasons will follow the 2006 season.
 
About our dig