This was the fourth excavation campaign undertaken as part of the “Urban Archaeology in Senigallia” project. (Cf. entries for Via Cavallotti 24, Via Baroccio e Via Gherardi in the Fasti On Line) that began in February 2008.

The new research involved the re-examination of old excavation records (1990 onwards), the excavation of four trenches, and core sampling, aimed towards obtaining a better definition of the deeper stratigraphy and the consistency of the substrata. The resulting data led to a complete revision of the chronology and a better understanding of the ancient spaces. In fact, the two southern insulae were entirely occupied by a sequence of atrium domus (at least four), datable to the end of the 3rd century B.C. On the contrary, the northern insulae seemed to have been free of buildings until at least the medieval period. Evidence of ancient land reclamation was also documented. Probably caused by rising water it meant the floors of all the domus to be raised and all the opus signinum floors re-laid. In addition, the NW-SE road surface was also raised (the basoli were lifted and re-laid at a higher level). During the land reclamation intervention, dated by the stratigraphy to the 2nd century B.C., a new channel connected to a fountain at the crossroads was built.

Several fragments of painted wall plaster were recovered, attributable to the “I Pompeian Style”. These fragments together with the opus signinum floors and the plan of the atrium domus represent the desire of the new colonial ruling classes to express their adherence to the new system of Roman power, even through the design of their houses.