Had to choose between a total site dig or a targeted trench at a Roman villa near Verona

The budget only covered one approach, so we went with the 2-meter trench along the north wall to check for a hypocaust system. It worked perfectly and we found the heating channels intact under just 30cm of soil. Has anyone else faced a similar 'big dig or small probe' choice on a tight schedule?

3 comments

3 Comments

lewis.mila16d ago

Only 30 centimeters of dirt over a Roman heating system? That's practically right on the surface. I figured you'd be digging down meters for something like that.

-1

jakewhite16d ago

Actually @lewis.mila, that dirt builds up over centuries.

jamie_adams16d ago

Guess I'd better tell @jakewhite my garden's probably sitting on a villa then.