The Plutonium Project, Hadrian's Villa, Tivoli (Comune di Tivoli, Provincia di Roma, Regione Lazio)

Recent excavations at Hadrian's Villa in Tivoli, Italy, specifically in the Plutonium area, have shed new light on the architectural and symbolic significance of this ancient complex. The Plutonium, traditionally interpreted as a reproduction of the Underworld, was investigated through two trenches (T and D) during a two-week excavation from June 27 to July 16, 2022. Trench T, located on a high podium within the built-up complex, revealed structural details that contribute to understanding the villa's layout and function. Meanwhile, Trench D connected previous excavations, providing insights into the semicircular structure projecting southwest of the Plutonium's front. This research, conducted by the Universities of Pavia and Oxford, aims to deepen our knowledge of Hadrian's Villa, one of Rome's most significant UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Gorrini, M. E., Melfi, M., & Montali, G. (2023). THE PLUTONIUM PROJECT, HADRIAN’S VILLA, TIVOLI (COMUNE DI TIVOLI, PROVINCIA DI ROMA, REGIONE LAZIO). Papers of the British School at Rome, 91, 328–331. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0068246223000107