Construction crews working on a highway in Italy made an unexpected discovery: the remains of an ancient sanctuary. This finding has prompted an archaeological investigation announced by the Italian Superintendency of Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape on May 19.
The sanctuary was located in Ponso, about 45 miles southwest of Venice. Workers from Veneto Strade S.p.A., engaged in building a new road from Borgo Veneto to Carceri, discovered the site during wartime ordnance clearance operations. These remains date back to the fifth century B.C.
Archaeologists investigating near Venice have uncovered large rectangular foundation structures believed to be temples. Among the findings is a structure surrounded by a row of columns. While some inscriptions on the site are in Latin, many are written in Venetic script, the ancient language of the Veneti people of northeastern Italy, used before Roman times.
Many inscribed stones appear to have been reused in paved flooring structures. However, their purpose remains unclear. Some inscriptions have maintained their original positioning. Officials have stated that the paving seems to have been constructed in the 1st century A.D., based on the ongoing studies.
Photos from the site reveal ancient Venetic inscriptions and partially buried columns and stone blocks. Some inscriptions likely had a religious or ‘votive’ character. Archaeologists believe that a branch of the Adige River may have flooded the site in the past.
The sanctuary complex near Venice may offer insights into religious practices in ancient northeastern Italy.
Preliminary findings suggest continuous use and transformation of the site over time, rather than abandonment. Officials note that the site retained significance during Roman times, though expressed through different cultural frameworks.
Active investigations continue, adding to a growing list of archaeological discoveries across Italy. Last year, a massive Iron Age necropolis was found in Trento, with burials dating back nearly 3,000 years. Earlier this year, archaeologists uncovered an ancient Roman city near the historic Appian Way, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
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