Periodic Reporting for period 4 - ROMETRANS (Rome Transformed: Interdisciplinary analysis of political, military and religious regenerations of the city's forgotten quarter C1-C8 CE)
Période du rapport: 2024-04-01 au 2025-03-31
Pioneering an innovative approach to Rome and its role in cultural change across the Mediterranean world ROMETRANS mapped political, military, and religious developments on the Eastern Caelian from the first to the eighth centuries. It delivered major benefits for archaeologists, historians, topographers, and geographers by documenting both the everyday and monumental features of the urban fabric, showing how they related chronologically, geographically, and ideologically.
From the extravagant horti and elite residences, through successive imperial palaces, to the seat of papal governance, the area's architecture reflected changing expressions of political authority. From early military posts to the impressive barracks of the emperor’s horse guards, and the construction and reconstruction of the Aurelian Walls, the area illustrated evolving ideas of security and military power. From the shrines of the early empire to the world’s first cathedral, it bore witness to successive phases of religious transformation.
ROMETRANS pursued three core objectives. First, it reconstructed the appearance of key buildings that shaped these changes, producing academically rigorous visualisations within their proper contexts. Second, it integrated these elements to model five major transformations that reshaped the Eastern Caelian in response to shifting political, military, and religious priorities. Third, it offered the most comprehensive interdisciplinary perspective to date on the long-term evolution of this pivotal area.
Achieving this required a survey of unprecedented scale and sophistication, leading to a new methodology for studying complex urban environments—one capable of transforming research approaches in historic cities globally. By integrating documentary sources, archaeological and structural analysis, environmental science, and geophysical survey, ROMETRANS established a new approach to the study of Rome and its global impact.
From the extravagant horti and elite residences, through successive imperial palaces, to the seat of papal governance, the area's architecture reflected changing expressions of political authority. From early military posts to the impressive barracks of the emperor’s horse guards, and the construction and reconstruction of the Aurelian Walls, the area illustrated evolving ideas of security and military power. From the shrines of the early empire to the world’s first cathedral, it bore witness to successive phases of religious transformation.
ROMETRANS pursued three core objectives. First, it reconstructed the appearance of key buildings that shaped these changes, producing academically rigorous visualisations within their proper contexts. Second, it integrated these elements to model five major transformations that reshaped the Eastern Caelian in response to shifting political, military, and religious priorities. Third, it offered the most comprehensive interdisciplinary perspective to date on the long-term evolution of this pivotal area.
Achieving this required a survey of unprecedented scale and sophistication, leading to a new methodology for studying complex urban environments—one capable of transforming research approaches in historic cities globally. By integrating documentary sources, archaeological and structural analysis, environmental science, and geophysical survey, ROMETRANS established a new approach to the study of Rome and its global impact.
Between October 2019 and March 2025, the Rome Transformed Project (ROMETRANS) conducted extensive fieldwork in and around the eastern Caelian (southeastern Rome), pursuing an ambitious interdisciplinary agenda to understand how complex urban environments evolve. The project brought together an international team of experts—archaeologists, architects, engineers, environmental scientists, geographers, geologists, geophysicists, historians, and topographers.
The core team came from Newcastle University (UK), Università di Firenze (Italy), the British School at Rome (UK/Italy), and the Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (Italy). ROMETRANS was funded by the European Research Council and received key support and permissions from heritage authorities including the Sovrintendenza Capitolina ai Beni Culturali, the Soprintendenza Speciale di Roma, and the Vatican Museums.
ROMETRANS aimed to advance methods for large-scale urban research while deepening understanding of the eastern Caelian Hill’s transformation over eight centuries—from the reign of Augustus to that of Pope Leo III. To do this, the team collected and synthesized data from four main sources: geophysical survey, structural analysis, environmental sampling, and historical archives.
The geophysical survey—over 11 hectares—was the largest ever conducted for archaeology in Rome. Using ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and electrical resistance tomography (ERT), experts from the British School at Rome, the CNR, and Geostudi Astier investigated diverse surfaces, including nearly 3 hectares of ancient roads.
The second strand focused on archaeological structures—some still visible in the modern city, others in older, inaccessible excavations. ROMETRANS researchers studied every known site in the area, sometimes alongside existing teams. Terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) and Structure from Motion (SfM) were used to create detailed 3D models. Drone imaging was provided by Marco Solvi and ArcheoTech&Survey Ltd (University of Siena).
The third strand focused on environmental data, mainly through a borehole drilling programme led by geomorphologist Carlo Rosa. Drilling up to 15 metres, the team analysed soil layers to track surface changes from classical times to late antiquity. Earlier borehole data from Metro Line C construction was also reassessed.
The fourth strand reappraised legacy data. Researchers consulted eight Roman archives, studying maps, drawings, and excavation records—many digitally geo-referenced. Redundant utility records were also examined for their informational and interpretive value.
The team integrated findings using innovative digital tools. “Provocation models” tested interpretations through 3D reconstructions; RT SCIEDOC tracked data sources in visualizations; RT3D, a GIS-based tool, modelled surface changes over time. These tools support future excavation planning and historical research.
This integrated approach offered a strong foundation for understanding how the eastern Caelian evolved during a formative era. The area was central to Roman innovation—from military and imperial buildings to palatial complexes that influenced urban planning elsewhere. Religious transformations were also key. The project’s work on the Lateran quarter reveals the development of liturgical and assembly spaces later adopted widely in the western world.
ROMETRANS has made its research data Open Access through the Archaeology Data Service. It has also held exhibitions in both Italy and the UK. The project has produced a series of Open Access volumes on its findings, ranging from data capture methods, 'Non-Intrusive Methodologies for Large-Area Urban Research', to a discussion of the important ways the project illuminates shifting thinking in political, religious and military matters, 'The Transformation of Rome: The Eastern Caelian from the Principate of Augustus to the Pontificate of Leo III'.
The core team came from Newcastle University (UK), Università di Firenze (Italy), the British School at Rome (UK/Italy), and the Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (Italy). ROMETRANS was funded by the European Research Council and received key support and permissions from heritage authorities including the Sovrintendenza Capitolina ai Beni Culturali, the Soprintendenza Speciale di Roma, and the Vatican Museums.
ROMETRANS aimed to advance methods for large-scale urban research while deepening understanding of the eastern Caelian Hill’s transformation over eight centuries—from the reign of Augustus to that of Pope Leo III. To do this, the team collected and synthesized data from four main sources: geophysical survey, structural analysis, environmental sampling, and historical archives.
The geophysical survey—over 11 hectares—was the largest ever conducted for archaeology in Rome. Using ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and electrical resistance tomography (ERT), experts from the British School at Rome, the CNR, and Geostudi Astier investigated diverse surfaces, including nearly 3 hectares of ancient roads.
The second strand focused on archaeological structures—some still visible in the modern city, others in older, inaccessible excavations. ROMETRANS researchers studied every known site in the area, sometimes alongside existing teams. Terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) and Structure from Motion (SfM) were used to create detailed 3D models. Drone imaging was provided by Marco Solvi and ArcheoTech&Survey Ltd (University of Siena).
The third strand focused on environmental data, mainly through a borehole drilling programme led by geomorphologist Carlo Rosa. Drilling up to 15 metres, the team analysed soil layers to track surface changes from classical times to late antiquity. Earlier borehole data from Metro Line C construction was also reassessed.
The fourth strand reappraised legacy data. Researchers consulted eight Roman archives, studying maps, drawings, and excavation records—many digitally geo-referenced. Redundant utility records were also examined for their informational and interpretive value.
The team integrated findings using innovative digital tools. “Provocation models” tested interpretations through 3D reconstructions; RT SCIEDOC tracked data sources in visualizations; RT3D, a GIS-based tool, modelled surface changes over time. These tools support future excavation planning and historical research.
This integrated approach offered a strong foundation for understanding how the eastern Caelian evolved during a formative era. The area was central to Roman innovation—from military and imperial buildings to palatial complexes that influenced urban planning elsewhere. Religious transformations were also key. The project’s work on the Lateran quarter reveals the development of liturgical and assembly spaces later adopted widely in the western world.
ROMETRANS has made its research data Open Access through the Archaeology Data Service. It has also held exhibitions in both Italy and the UK. The project has produced a series of Open Access volumes on its findings, ranging from data capture methods, 'Non-Intrusive Methodologies for Large-Area Urban Research', to a discussion of the important ways the project illuminates shifting thinking in political, religious and military matters, 'The Transformation of Rome: The Eastern Caelian from the Principate of Augustus to the Pontificate of Leo III'.
ROMETRANS was innovative in both its interdisciplinary approach and integration of diverse methods in studying Rome. Across the 68-hectare eastern Caelian area, the team combined structural, geophysical, and environmental analyses. Archaeological structures were recorded wherever possible—at depths of up to 9 m below or 26 m above ground—using specialist training and permissions. Expert analysis of building fabric was combined with drone photogrammetry and terrestrial laser scanning, producing documentation of lasting value.
This was assessed alongside data from the largest geophysical survey ever conducted for archaeology in Rome, which highlighted both the potential and limits of non-intrusive methods in urban contexts. A borehole drilling programme further advanced understanding of long-term ground changes. Combining archaeological sampling with geological analysis, the team identified variations in disturbance depth and organic preservation.
The project also pioneered a research approach based on “provocations”—computer visualisations modelling how buildings and landscapes changed over time. Delivered as evolving visual arguments, these were supported by a user-friendly tool (RT SCIEDOC) for reviewing the underlying data. This enabled a new way to explore Rome’s changing political, military, and religious landscape.
ROMETRANS produced new insights into over 25 building complexes, including the Lateran, Aurelian Wall, and S. Croce areas. Detailed findings can be found in the three PhDs produced by the project and in its published volumes on methodology and historical transformation.
This was assessed alongside data from the largest geophysical survey ever conducted for archaeology in Rome, which highlighted both the potential and limits of non-intrusive methods in urban contexts. A borehole drilling programme further advanced understanding of long-term ground changes. Combining archaeological sampling with geological analysis, the team identified variations in disturbance depth and organic preservation.
The project also pioneered a research approach based on “provocations”—computer visualisations modelling how buildings and landscapes changed over time. Delivered as evolving visual arguments, these were supported by a user-friendly tool (RT SCIEDOC) for reviewing the underlying data. This enabled a new way to explore Rome’s changing political, military, and religious landscape.
ROMETRANS produced new insights into over 25 building complexes, including the Lateran, Aurelian Wall, and S. Croce areas. Detailed findings can be found in the three PhDs produced by the project and in its published volumes on methodology and historical transformation.