Project San Callisto District. Analysis of the territory close to the catacombs of San Callisto in the Appia Antica Park (Appia Antica Park – Rome)

Responsible for research:

Salvatore De Vincenzo in codirectorship with Giancarlo Pastura

Start date: 2021

End date: Undefined

Brief description and objectives of the research:

The “Callistian district,” is an area between the Appian and Ardeatina roads, between the 2nd and 3rd miles, so named conventionally because of the presence of the catacomb of Callistus.

This sector of the Roman suburbs, already very rich in monumental, surface and underground evidence, still needs to be investigated because of the presence of some churches attested by documentary sources but not yet identified archaeologically. The agreement envisages collaboration between the different entities, aimed, first and foremost, at the development of remote sensing methods and techniques preparatory to the identification of the missing cult buildings, also through the organization of training internships and agreements with other research and protection entities or institutes. In this regard, the parties will take an active part in the search for economic resources, including through joint participation in public and private funding calls.

The proposed archaeological activities will make use, in a multidisciplinary logic, of non-invasive and “light archaeology” methods of investigation, which offer the possibility of obtaining reliable results in a short time and at low cost, thanks also to the integration of techniques and tools of investigation, including innovative ones, such as aerial photogrammetry from drone and terrestrial, and remote sensing techniques.

Possible collaborating entities and institutions:

Project in agreement with the University of Tor Vergata in Rome (Vincenzo Fiocchi Nicolai and Lucrezia Spera).