Dated to the 5th or 6th century C.E., the brewery was likely a continuation of traditions passed down from Celtic tribes who once inhabited the region.
University of MacerataAn aerial view of the archaeological site in Macerata.
While excavating the Villamagna site in Italy’s Macerata province, archaeologists from the University of Macerata recently discovered the only Roman-era brewery ever found on the Italian peninsula.
While the area is known for its wine-making tradition, this find is unprecedented in the region. Researchers now believe the brewery could be linked to the region’s ancient Gallic roots, as these tribes were known to drink beer before they arrived in Italy.
A One-Of-A-Kind Brewery In Ancient Italy
During their 30th archaeological excavation of the Villamagna and Urbs Salvia sites in Macerata, researchers from the Università di Macerata came across the remains of an ancient Roman villa with impressive monumental structures, as well as a unique brewery. There, ancient people once produced beer using a type of millet called panicum.
“In Villamagna, a hamlet of Urbisaglia, in the province of Macerata, a Roman villa with monumental structures and the only Roman-era brewery known in Italy have been brought to light,” the university said in a statement to Stile Arte. “These discoveries and those made in Urbs Salvia provide new information on land management in Roman times and enrich the offerings of the Abbadia di Fiastra Nature Reserve.”
University of MacerataArchaeologists working at the site.
Archaeologists linked the “anomaly” to the Senones Gauls, a Celtic tribe who hailed from present-day France and inhabited various areas of the Marche region, including the Macerata province, during the 4th century B.C.E. It’s likely that the owners of this villa carried on the Celtic tradition of beer making via this ancient brewery.
However, researchers also specified that this ancient “beer factory” came after the Senones Gauls inhabited the area and likely dates to the 5th or 6th century C.E., during Roman occupation. It’s possible that it was operated by a Gothic population.
Of course, the ancient brewery was not the only discovery made during the excavation.
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Other Discoveries From The Urbs Salvia Excavation
In addition to the ancient brewery, archaeologists found numerous remarkable artifacts, including various metal forges and pottery-making kilns. In light of these new discoveries, the Regional Directorate of Museums of the Marche announced plans to expand the areas of the site open to the public.
University of MacerataThe brewery is the only one of its kind ever found on the Italian peninsula.
The Urbs Salvia site was founded in the third century B.C.E. as a Roman colony. It was a strategic location, meant to help the Romans consolidate control in the Adriatic regions. For centuries, the city prospered as a political, commercial, and religious center.
Since 1995, it has been intensively explored, with visitors able to view remarkably well-preserved ancient monuments, including a theater with a 3,000-person capacity and a temple dedicated to Salus, the goddess of health.
After reading about the discovery of this Roman-era brewery, learn all about the history of beer and how it might have led to civilization as we know it. Or, read about these 33 ancient Rome facts that will change how you look at the empire.
