Claudius I began construction of Portus, the ancient port of Rome,on the right bank of the river Tiber, during the 1st Century. Many subsequent additions were made to the site throughout its history and it remained Rome’s central hub for trade with Northern Africa and the Mediterranean right through to the Byzantine period and beyond. Relics from the site indicate the massive range of imports, from marble and ceramics to food and wild animals that passed through Portus.

The centrepiece of the latest excavation, however, was found just off the banks of the harbour. Along with the British School at Rome and several other collaborators the Southampton University team set-out to retrace an ancient Roman theatre documented by Rodolfo Lancianci in the 1860s. It was discovered that Lancianci’s findings were only half correct and the relic was in fact identified to be a much larger amphitheatre, similar in ground size to the Pantheon in Rome.

Although unsure, it is thought that the amphitheatre may have been used for gladiatorial combat, wild-beast taming and even mock sea battles. However due to its close proximity to the port it may, rather disappointingly, have been merely a decorative garden.

Regardless of its original purpose the significance of the excavation cannot be overlooked and Professor Keay has indicated that, despite lacking a green roof, it may be comparable in importance to Stonehenge and Angkor Wat in Cambodia. Hopefully with further funding from the Arts and Humanities Research Council work may continue on this project providing a greater understanding to Southampton Universities’ archaeologists and the general public.