Landmark Archaeological Discovery: Battle Field of Spartacus
Spartacus’ First Battlefield Unearthed in Southern Italy
In a significant discovery that alters our understanding of ancient Roman history, Paolo Visonà, a celebrated archaeologist and adjunct associate professor in the School of Art and Visual Studies (SA/VS) at the University of Kentucky, has announced the unearthing of the first battlefield of the legendary gladiator Spartacus. The discovery was made in the historical region of Calabria, situated in southern Italy.
Connecting History with Modern Research
Visonà’s seasoned team traced the ancient Roman fortification systems, originally constructed by Crassus, a famous Roman general, to contain Spartacus and his rebellious army. The team followed these Roman embankments, unearthed in dense forests, for over 1.6 miles and collected various fragments of broken weapons, a testament to the fierce proxy of the battle that ensued there. These weapon fragments were verified to have originated in the first century B.C, marking them as tangible proof of the infamous war against Rome led by Spartacus.
“By incorporating sophisticated research methods, such as fieldwalking, geophysical scanning and remote sensing techniques, we have established beyond doubt that this discovery holds immense historical significance,” explained Visonà. Comparisons with Roman battlefields in Slovenia have substantiated the initial conclusions drawn by the team.
Visonà’s Journey to this Historical Milestone
Visonà, a recognized authority in classical archaeology, began his research in the region of Calabria back in 1987. His quest for traces of Spartacus’s exploits had him exploring and understanding the rugged terrain of this region for over 30 years. “A lifetime is scarcely sufficient to comprehend the intricacies of such a place,” expressed Visonà.
Future Prospects and Implications
This momentous discovery has opened the floodgates for further sculpture and research in the area. The broken weapons are being meticulously restored by the Italian Archaeological Service, and their findings will be unveiled at the annual AIA meet in Philadelphia, 2025. Experts from the Department of Roman Archaeology of the Leibniz-Zentrum fuer Archaeologie, in Mainz, Germany, and the Universita degli Studi dell’Insubria in Como, Italy, will collaborate in the study of these artifacts.
Visonà’s colleague, George Crothers, Ph.D., an associate professor in UK’s Department of Anthropology, who directed the geophysical survey of the area, commented, “Although it’s a quiet place today, it’s easy to envision the historic clash of Spartan slaves against Roman legionaries. It’s our hope that this site receives the academic attention it deserves and measures be taken to ensure it’s preservation for future generations.”
Undoubtedly, this discovery marks a significant step in better understanding one of the most intriguing periods of history – the era of Spartacus and his uprising against the Roman Empire.
