In 2022, the archaeological mission of the University of Parma, directed by Prof. Riccardo Villicich, resumed excavation activities at the villa of Fiumana (Predappio, FC), which had been interrupted after the first investigations in the 1960s conducted by Dr. Giovanna Bermond Montanari.
In the 1960 and 1962 excavation campaigns, the discovery of marble and stone fragments decorated in relief, portions of embossed bronze plates, and numerous ceramic fragments confirmed the importance of the site, already known in the 19th century for sporadic finds.
The structures identified by the archaeologist are pertinent to the remains of the pars fructuaria of an urban-rustic villa of the early imperial age traceable to a personage of the Forlì aristocracy. A second building, a vast four-lobed room with corners characterized by semicircular niches, was excavated some 30 meters north of the wine cells.
The resumption of excavations during July 2022 was based on the interpretation of satellite images that showed traces on the ground of large portions of the structures below.
The results of the first research campaign allowed for further understanding of the planform of the four-lobed building interpreted by Dr. Bermond Montanari as finished and isolated. In reality, it is a vast complex that develops from the central tetraconic body toward the four cardinal points via an ambulatory from which cruciform arms radiate.
A second pavilion, hitherto unknown, was identified and partially investigated a hundred meters east of the previous one; it is an uncovered courtyard on which four apsidal spaces open along the sides and small rectangular rooms on the corners. Coinciding with the northern corner portion is a row of heated rooms and baths pertaining to a thermal quarter.
On the basis of the archaeological data in our possession, it can be assumed that the two pavilions are part of a monumental villa attributable to the Late Antique period.
The focus of the 2023 excavation campaign was on the productive sector of the urban-rustic Early Imperial villa, extending the research carried out earlier in the area. The discovery of a series of side-by-side dolia, still in place, in addition to the known information, made it possible to establish the function of the room as a wine cellar.
In addition, the state of preservation of the quadrilobate was checked against the indications of previous excavations and additional new rooms were identified.
