Atomb containing the skeletal remains of a newborn, as well as fragments of a mosaic floor and parts of building foundation walls, were identified during the first excavation campaign promoted by the National Museum of Abruzzo in L'Aquila at the Amiternum Archaeological Park, archaeologists said Tuesday.
    Amiternum was an ancient Sabine city, then Roman city and later bishopric and Latin Catholic titular see in the central Abruzzo region of modern Italy, located 9 km (5.6 mi) from L'Aquila.
    Amiternum, which was defeated by Rome in 293 BC, was the birthplace of the historian Sallust (86 BC).
    The archaeological research, conducted thanks to a grant from the Directorate General of Museums of the Ministry of Culture, focused on the amphitheater of the ancient Roman city and the so-called "peristyle domus," with the aim of gaining a greater understanding of the history and function of two important but still little-known monuments.
    Two stratigraphic excavation trials were conducted, in addition to documentation and surveying, washing, labeling, and pre-cataloging of the finds.
    Three rooms were identified in the peristyle domus, two of which have mosaic floors.
    The building is structured around a large rectangular courtyard and features rooms of various sizes, decorated with mosaics and polychrome plaster.
    The foundation walls of both buildings were discovered in the space between the amphitheater—a structure dating to the second half of the 1st century AD—and the domus.
    A newborn's tomb was also discovered in this area.
    The excavation results were presented at a press conference at the Archaeological Park.
    "The data acquired," said Federica Zalabra, director of Munda, "allows us to better understand the chronology, relationships, and dynamics between the two monuments.
    "They reassure us that future excavation campaigns will provide a complete picture of the monuments, extending the excavations and offering visitors to the Park the opportunity to view what the archaeologists have discovered."
   

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