San Simone, Izola
Projects: Geographical Overview
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In the Hinterland of the Amber Road: The Villa Maritima
In the context of a research cooperation with the Institute for Mediterranean Heritage of the University of Koper (M. Guštin, I. Lazar) since 2008 the Roman Villa Maritima of San Simone/Simonov zaliv near Isola/Izola on the Adriatic coast of Slovenia has been studied. The goal of this cooperative research project is, in addition to the processing of the excavations carried out until 2000 and the creation by the University of a concept for touristic use, to acquire new knowledge regarding topography, buildings, chronology of finds, and the economic foundations of the Villa.
To arrive at these goals, between 2008 and 2012, the installation of a geoinformation system (GIS), geodetic measurements of the visible ancient remains, geophysical surveys, surveys, and small-scale excavations are being undertaken.
Since 2008, in addition to a new mapping of the visible architectural remains and geophysical surveys in the environment of the Villa, small-scale excavations have been made in the central mid-zone and at the southern boundary of the Villa. The results of the excavations and the analysis of the complexes of finds provide new information about the chronology and architectural concept of the Villa.
After extensive levelling measures, the main building was laid out in the final third of the 1st century B.C. Parts of a room with a white mosaic floor, parts of an interior courtyard with a latrine, and the southern portico were investigated. Based on the orientation of the foundation walls, it can be assumed that there were two different structural complexes in the north and the south of the Villa. Usage of the area of the Villa under examination ended in the third quarter of the 1st century A.D. At the time of the abandonment, the floors and walls were systematically torn down. A partial later usage for the area near the harbour can be assumed.
Bibliography
- S. Groh – H. Sedlmayer, Die Grabungen in der römischen Villa Maritima von San Simone/Simonov zaliv bei Isola/Izola, Slowenien, Annales for Istran and Mediterranean Studies, Series historia sociologia 18, 2008, 2, 385–396.
- S. Groh – M. Guštin – I. Lazar – H. Sedlmayer, Neue Forschungen in der römischen Villa Maritima von San Simone/Simonov zaliv bei Isola/Izola, Slowenien, AÖ 20/1, 2009, 53–57.
- S. Groh – H. Sedlmayer, Nuove ricerche nella Villa Maritima romana di San Simone/Simonov zaliv presso Isola/Izola (Slovenia) Aquileia Nostra 80, 2009, 233-258.