Ancient Tombs Found Near Ostia Antica

More than a dozen early Christian-era tombs were discovered at Parco dei Ravennati, near the ancient harbor city of Ostia Antica.

The tombs surround a central grave, which led the team of Italian and American archeologists working at the site to conclude that the person buried in the central tomb was very important, perhaps a saint.   

Darius Arya, director of the American Institute for Roman Culture, the non-profit organization in charge of the excavations, suggested it could be Saint Monica or Saint Aurea: "Santa Monica was an early 4th century saint and mother of St. Augustine. Third century Saint Aurea was the patron saint of Ostia and her church is nearby."  

Archeologists also found several funerary inscriptions and a possible tabella defixionum, a tablet intended to protect the dead and curse those who dared desecrate the tombs, although researchers still need to evaluate its context.

A team of 29 international students led by Arya and Michele Raddi have been working in three locations within the 15,000-square-meter Parco dei Ravennati. The discovery of the tombs could provide important information regarding the Ostia area.