During the penultimate week for Alison Telfer and the team at Sant’ Omobono, Rome, signs of pre-Roman settlement become ever more present.
Digging a deep trench into water-logged deposits presents a number of challenges. The deeper you dig, the more the water there is, so before you can attempt to record (or even see!) the sequence of archaeology, you have to contain the water. It’s a bit like putting your dog into the back room, so that the postman can arrive safely at your front door. If the dog were to bite the postman you may not receive your important letter…or in our case, find the archaeology.
It therefore becomes necessary to dig small holes (sumps) deeper down, into earlier archaeology; after all, water always drains to the lowest point. This process also gives an indication of what lies ahead. As we approach the final week of the season at Sant’ Omobono, this has been particularly important.
