Monte
dei Cocci ( Monte Testaccio )
This
is an artificial hill located in the river
port area of the ancient city, near the
warehouses which stored food produce, the so called
horrea. 54 meters high and one kilometer in
circumference, the hill consists of taste, or
earthenware fragments, deriving mainly from the
amphorae used to transport the wares,
which were systematically dumped here and piled up
between the Augustan period and the mid 3rd
century AD, according to the findings of recent
studies.
A
pile of this size and height was made possible by
the existence of a ramp and two paths, which were
used by the carts laden with potsherds and broken
amphorae, many of which still bear the
manufacturer's stamp their handles, while others
feature tituli picti, notes in paint or ink
indicating name of exporter, content, any checks
performed during the journey and consular date.
Information and Addresses
Address Via Zabaglia, 24
Price € 3,00; concessions € 1,50
For
Tours information
– private guided tours – special entrances, no waiting in
line - VIP services
www.tourinrome.com
www.vaticanmuseuminformation.com
www.vaticanmuseumticket.com
