Monte Testaccio – Rome’s Mountain of Ancient Garbage (Video)

Monte Testaccio, an ancient Roman garbage dump, stands as a reminder of the city’s consumption and trade practices. Located on the outskirts of Rome, this massive mound of broken pottery reaches the height of the Pantheon, towering over the warehouse district. The majority of the pottery shards that comprise Monte Testaccio are remnants of amphorae, specifically those used for transporting olive oil. An estimated 53 million amphorae were discarded here, with a significant portion originating from the province of Baetica in modern-day Andalusia, Spain.

During the first to third centuries AD, vast quantities of olive oil were imported to Rome. These amphorae, each capable of holding approximately 70 liters of oil, were shipped from Spain and North Africa. The journey of these amphorae began on estates in Spain, where both free laborers and slaves worked the olive groves. After being filled with oil, the amphorae were transported via river and sea to the bustling harbor of Portus, near Rome.

Once at Portus, the amphorae were unloaded and transported up the Tiber River to Rome. There, the oil was decanted, and the empty amphorae were deemed unsuitable for reuse due to their bulky shape and residual oil. Consequently, they were sent to Monte Testaccio, where they were broken into smaller pieces and layered with lime to mitigate the odor of rancid oil.

Monte Testaccio not only illustrates the extensive reach of Roman trade but also highlights the economic and social structures of the time. The hill’s enduring presence serves as a reminder of the empire’s consumption patterns, the complexities of its trade networks, and the labor that sustained its grandeur.

Top image: Monte Testaccio, Rome.       Source: Public Domain

By Robbie Mitchell