Circular Festooned Altar

myminifactory

As part of a residential construction project in vicolo Pastori, a new Roman funerary area connected to the Via Annia road axis burst forth from the earth. The Superintendence for Archaeological Heritage of the Veneto led an investigation into the site during the summer of 2010. Excavation efforts uncovered 130 tombs, dating back to the Augustan age and extending into the early 2nd century AD. A fascinating funerary altar was discovered inside a north-south oriented trench, mirroring the layout of all the other tombs and structures found in the area. The monument, crafted from Aurisina stone, consists of a quadrangular base with a central housing for the cremated remains, and a cylindrical body originally designed to cover the urn. Iron grappas, still securely in place, served as the fastening system between the cylindrical stem and the underlying ara. The crowning element, intended to sit atop the cylindrical feature, has been lost. The cylindrical stem showcases relief decoration flanked by two frames. A Doric-style frieze runs along the upper portion, while three garlands of flowers and fruit take center stage in the middle section. Intertwined ribbons with Hercules knots adorn the ends of each garland, situated above two Satyr heads and a female head. Additional plant motifs and possibly a lizard round out the decoration below.