A few centimeters beneath the topsoil of a former agricultural field near Rome, excavations have uncovered the structural remains of a 4th-century episcopal complex. The site, located within the Ostia Antica Archaeological Park, contains a church and an adjoining palace dating to approximately 330 AD. Recent fieldwork in 2025 identified a formal reception hall, or aula, measuring 20 by 8 meters, characterized by marble cladding and mosaic floors.
The project is a collaborative effort led by Sabine Feist (University of Bonn), Michael Heinzelmann (University of Cologne), and Norbert Zimmermann (German Archaeological Institute). Heinzelmann has conducted research in Ostia for over two decades, while Feist specializes in Christian archaeology and architecture. The team also includes Emanuela Borgia from Sapienza University of Rome, who manages the ceramic finds.
