Preliminary Observations on the Interdisciplinary Project of Roman Amphorae from the Territory of Ostia

This chapter presents preliminary data about amphorae from the territory of Ostia, already investigated within the Immensa Aequora project (www.immensaaequora.org [last access 02.07.2024]). The new research aims to reconstruct settlement and production patterns of rural farms and villae during the Repub- lican and Imperial periods, considering both major and minor sites; in particular, Villa A in Dragoncello (Acilia, Rome), currently under investigation. The study employs fieldwork, excavations, surveys, and typological and archaeometric analyses, with a focus on amphorae as indicators of trade and food distribution. The findings from Ostia reveal several amphora types of different origins, showcasing shifts in imports over time. Chemical-mineralogical analyses can help to identify their origins, and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry offers insights into their original contents. The data highlight changing trends in food circulation and indicate a prevalence of Italian wine during the Republican period and a predominance of provincial imports, especially from Hispania, in the Imperial age.