TEMPLE FIND POINTS TO 'MAJOR PORT'

TEMPLE FIND POINTS TO 'MAJOR PORT'

(ANSA) - Grosseto, October 21 - An Ancient Roman temple unearthed north of Rome is evidence of a major and hitherto unknown imperial port that served the whole of the Mediterranean, Italian archaeologists said Wednesday.

The temple, built in classic 'opus testaceum' brickwork and clad in marble, was found in the Maremma National Park near the border between Lazio and Tuscany.

Dating back to the fourth century AD, the archaeologists said it ''points to a major Roman settlement''.

The ruins of the rectangular building were found near a famous Maremma beauty spot, the Marina d'Alberese beach, not far from the mouth of the Ombrone river.

''This is evidence of a major port. It must have served the entire Mediterranean, receiving especially heavy cargos from North Africa,'' the team said.

A ''huge quantity'' of ceramic potsherds were uncovered, as well as more than 50 coins.

The archaeologists said another temple was ''probably'' buried nearby. It is believed to be dedicated to the hunter goddess Diana.

The team vowed to uncover the history of the port, which they said was ''particularly active between the second century BC and the sixth century AD''. photo: a Maremma beach