Monumental stone-lined water basin found in Gabii

"A massive stone water basin of unknown purpose has been discovered in the ancient site of Gabii, 11 miles east of Rome. Most of it dates to around 250 B.C., but there is evidence that some parts were built at an earlier date. It is one of the earliest examples of Roman monumental architecture that isn't a temple or a defensive wall."

"Its location at the center of the city near the main crossroads suggests it may have been a monumental pool that was part of the city's forum, or the heart of public life in Roman towns. Since archaeologists still don't fully know what the early Roman Forum truly looked like, Gabii provides an invaluable window into its development. The ancient city of Gabii was one of Rome's main rivals in its early days when it was ruled by kings."

A massive stone water basin dating largely to about 250 B.C. was excavated at Gabii, located 11 miles east of Rome, with some components possibly older. The basin is one of the earliest examples of Roman monumental architecture outside temples and defensive walls and likely functioned as a monumental pool near the city’s main crossroads, potentially forming part of a civic forum. Gabii was an early rival then ally of Rome, declined by the 1st century B.C., and remained largely untouched by later urban development, preserving original street layouts. Continued excavations will explore deposits within the basin and nearby anomalies.

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