Ancient site · Italy · Still standing

Monte Testaccio

Monte Testaccio is an artificial Roman mound in Rome formed almost entirely from the broken fragments of amphorae (mostly Dressel 20 oil jars). It rises roughly 35–36 metres above street level on a triangular plan near the Tiber and was created by organised, repeated depositions of amphorae in terraces. The site was both an industrial disposal area in antiquity and later reused for storage and recreation.

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Photograph via Wikimedia Commons

Its prime

AD 180

Today

Still standing

As it stood in AD 180

What Monte Testaccio looked like in its prime.

A roughly triangular, terracotta-coloured artificial hill about 35–36 m high, composed of densely packed layers of broken amphora sherds and bands of near‑intact amphorae used as retaining courses. The mound rises in stepped terraces with a broad sloping ramp, worn paths and two distinct summits; vegetation softens its slopes. Close views show curved reddish-brown ceramic fragments, occasional whole amphora necks and painted inscriptions (tituli picti) on some vessels.

Step inside

7 places to explore in AD 180.

The record describes 7 distinct spots at Monte Testaccio, including 2 interiors: base grotto / cellar entrance, interior niche with amphorae and inscriptions. Create your own photoreal reconstruction and explore every one, more scenes means more photos, more angles and more of the immersive experience.

Riverbank approach (Emporium)Salita (northeast ramp)Terrace with retaining amphoraeSummit — amphora breaking and depositionSherd-laid service pathBase grotto / cellar entranceInterior niche with amphorae and inscriptions

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