Romana Marmora. Stories of emperors, gods and quarrymen. Guide to the archaeological area of Fossacava

This volume examines the history of the Roman quarry of Fossacava within the broader context of the ancient extraction of Luni marble. It originates from the temporary exhibition "Romana marmora. Stories of emperors, gods and quarrymen" and is intended as a guide for visitors to the archaeological site.

Fossacava stands as enduring evidence of the relentless and exhausting labour undertaken by Roman quarrymen 2,000 years ago. The marks left on the quarry walls and the inscriptions on semi-finished marble blocks recount the quarry's history, unravelling a complex web of interconnected stories: emperors, their slaves and freedmen, contractors, merchants, ordinary quarry workers, and the deities they worshipped all play a role in this captivating narrative centred around marble - a material that remains one of the most iconic symbols of the architecture and sculpture of the Roman Empire.