Excavations in Ponso reveal an ancient Veneti sanctuary

Construction work on the new Regionale 10 road has uncovered a significant archaeological site in Ponso (Padua). Preliminary investigations, supervised by the regional Soprintendenza for Padua, Treviso and Belluno, have identified structures and finds indicating long-term religious use of the area.

The remains lie nearly three metres below the current ground level, preserved by Adige river alluvial deposits. Finds point to continuous use from the pre-Roman period through the 1st century AD.

Main discoveries

• Trachyte cippi bearing Venetic inscriptions (and some Latin), several dated to the 5th–4th centuries BC;
• a paved surface incorporating reused cippi, whose function is still under study;
• rectangular structures interpreted as temples, including a peripteral building surrounded by columns.

Some inscriptions, incised on three faces, appear votive and provide evidence of rituals in the Venetic language. The combination of epigraphic and architectural evidence suggests progressive monumentalisation of the sacred area.

Ongoing work and outlook

Excavations continue with the aims of mapping the sanctuary's extent, establishing a detailed chronology of its phases and clarifying the relationship between the votive cippi and the temple structures. The investigated area is estimated at around 1,500 square metres and is currently contained so as not to interrupt the road project.

Further trenching and analysis in the coming months will supply data essential for reconstruction and conservation. The discovery enriches the archaeological record of the Veneto and contributes to our understanding of ancient Veneti religious practices.