A03_11

Radiocarbon and OSL dating of Caesar’s Forum in Rome

Olsen J¹, Schrøder T¹, Kinnard T, Kristiansen S, Kindbjerg J, Presicce  C, Vitti M, Raja R

¹Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark

Here we present radiocarbon dating of 122 animal bone samples and OSL profiling to accurately date the stratigraphy of Caesar’s Forum in Rome. The stratigraphy covered the period from the Recent Bronze Age (13th Century BCE)   to the 1932s. Stable isotope analysis on the bone samples provided data for a discussion of dietary baselines. The radiocarbon dates fell within the approximate range 400-3000 ¹⁴C years BP, as expected from the stratigraphy. Three Bayesian chronological models were made by assuming a sequence of overlying stratigraphic units, while the models used outlier modelling that allowed a sample to be redeposited in its associated stratigraphic unit. The OSL profiling aided the Bayesian modelling and sample selection by identifying phases with a high risk of re-deposition. Bayesian modelling was conducted on two excavation areas (A and C). In area A, the chronological model showed activity in late antiquity and early medieval era, from the 3rd century CE to the 8th century CE. In area C, the first chronology showed activity in the archaic era to antiquity, from 8th century BCE to the 4th century CE. In area C, the second chronology told of activity from the medieval era to the renaissance, 10th century CE to the 16th century CE. In area C’s first chronology an interesting aspect was to look for the end of the archaic era and the floor of Caesar’s forum. In area C’s second model an interesting aspect was stratigraphic units with many outliers, which were signs of redisposition of soil.