Rome Unearths Colossal Ancient Marble Head Near Trajan’s Forum

Archaeologists in Rome have uncovered a colossal ancient marble head beneath Via Alessandrina near Trajan’s Forum during excavations funded by Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan. The male figure, characterized by thick, wavy hair and an intense expression, may represent either Emperor Trajan, who ruled in the early second century A.D., or the god Dionysus, as previous similar discoveries in the area exhibited Dionysian features. The head was found embedded in medieval brick and mortar, suggesting it was reused as building material after the Roman Empire's decline. The site is near the monumental Porticus Trisigmentata, a grand colonnade with towering marble columns that once adorned Trajan’s Forum. Archaeologists plan to conduct petrographic analyses to determine the marble’s origin and confirm the statue’s identity before restoring it for display at the Museums of the Imperial Forums. Rome’s mayor, Roberto Gualtieri, emphasized the discovery’s significance in connecting visitors to the city’s layered imperial history and ongoing archaeological legacy.