The Australian Carsulae Archaeological Project, a new joint research program excavating in the ancient Roman city of Carsulae, is allowing Macquarie students to discover first-hand the mysteries of life in Roman times.

Australian team leader Dr Jaye McKenzie-Clark from the Department of Ancient History says the program allows students to gain invaluable practical experience through analysis of the site and its artefacts – something impossible to do in Australia.

“Very little is known about the culture and society of Carsulae,” said Dr McKenzie-Clark. “It’s a unique opportunity to bring Italian and Australian expertise and resources together to explore a part of ancient Roman history that has lain hidden for centuries.”

Dr McKenzie-Clark explains that just as our modern society leaves plastic in its wake, so too the Romans left pottery as markers of their passage through time.

“Unlike coins and swords, pottery couldn’t be recycled, so it is left behind for us to discover, giving valuable clues about lives long past,” she said.

Recently the Australian Ambassador to Italy, the Right Honourable Mike Rann, toured the site and saw firsthand the collaborative work being done.

“It is amazing to see the work being done here in Italy, bringing our two countries closer together today by looking so far back into our history,” said Mr Rann. “It gave me great pleasure to see the two country’s archaeological teams working side-by-side at such a wonderful site. From what I have seen today, there is a great future to this collaboration.”

The Ambassador also met with Professor of Radiology John Magnussen, who together with Dr McKenzie-Clark have pioneered a new, non-destructive technique for analysing these new-found clues.

“This is just the beginning for us in Carsulae,” said Dr Mckenzie-Clark. “There is a lifetime worth of opportunity here, with Australian and Italian teams working side-by-side to uncover parts of our common history.”

Learn more about the Australian Carsulae Archaeological Project.