Ancient City of Falerii Novii in Rome Has Finally Been Mapped out Using a Ground-Penetrating Radar

Archeologists found several structures of a deeply buried town called Falerii Novii using ground-penetrating radar (GPR).

 Researchers from the University of Cambridge and Ghent University in Belgium were able to map the evidence of large homes, the marketplace, public buildings, monument, temples, bath complex, and water pipes six feet beneath the city 40 miles north of Rome. 

The Ancient City Falerii Novii 

Falerii Novii existed from 241 BC to 700 AD. Falisci Tribe was known to live in the city as it was allocated as a relocation area for the tribe as they rebelled against Romans. Researchers estimate that the town had a population of 2,500 in the third and fourth centuries BC. The city is now deeply buried below the earth.

Archeologists noted that the ancient city had a fancy public bath complex and market building. An elaborate temple with columns near the south gate of the city and large houses were also found.

The study team noted that Falerii Novvi had a carefully planned water system. Unlike other cities of their time that had its water system networks along the streets, the town's water pipes were established beneath its buildings before it was constructed, indicating an advanced city planning like that of a modern city. 

The city had a large rectangular structure, believed to be an open-air pool and a part of a public bathing complex is connected to a network of water pipes and the city's aqueduct. 

Two large structures near the city's north gate were believed to be a part of a large public monument. 

Another fascinating discovery was a route circling the city, which the research team deems as a pathway during religious processions. 

Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) 

The study is the first to map the entire city using ground-penetrating radar (GPR). GPR uses radio waves to explore the ruins without needing to excavate. Radio signals from the GPR's radar antenna are sent into the ground. Solid objects cause waves to bounce off, eventually recording it as images. 

The GPR system was attached to an all-terrain vehicle as researchers surveyed the 75 acre (30.5 hectares) area of the city, getting readings every 12.5 centimeters. 

According to the study author Martin Millett, and an archeologist from the University of Cambridge, "this type of survey could transform the way archaeologists investigate urban sites, as total entities."

The GPR can now enable researchers to identify where and how the actual digging should be done. It also provides the researchers with critical information that may be overlooked while doing excavations.

Helena Fracchia, a professor of the classics at the University of Alberta, said that while Falerii Novii's discovery was fabulous, Fracchia notes that there is more to archeology than mapping things out.

An excavation for relevant art, tools, and remains in the vast ancient monument discovered in the northern entrance of the city, for example, is necessary to provide a better understanding of what rituals and practices occurred in the structure, Fracchia said.

The study team hopes to continue working on Falerii Novii. However, they also wish to extend the technology to other ancient Roman cities.