The votive Deposit of Piazza Ghiaia
During recent excavations for an underground parking facility in Piazza Ghiaia—once the site of a ford across the ancient bed of the Parma stream—archaeologists uncovered a remarkable votive deposit, in use from the late 3rd century BCE to at least the 2nd century CE.
Travelers crossing the stream would offer coins and other metal votive objects—often intentionally broken—as a symbolic compensation for the impious act of disturbing the sacred waters.
Over three thousand coins were recovered, offering a vivid glimpse into Parma’s far-reaching trade connections as early as the Roman Republic. Among the finds were Greek coins (from Athens, Palermo, and Paestum), Punic issues from Carthage, Roman asses from the 3rd century BCE, and coins from across the Mediterranean—from the Iberian Peninsula to Asia Minor. Numerous specimens from Celtic mints in northern Italy and across the Alps were also found in the site.
The metal objects found alongside the coins include:
– divine and human figures: a bust of a river god, a miniature Jupiter, a draped female figure in lead, a small bust, pendants with Silenus’ head, a tiny head of Attis, and a theatrical mask;
– animals such as dolphins (symbolically connected to water), as well as a peacock, a dog, a snake, and a swan;
– lead seashells and bronze knucklebones, likely used as scale weights;
– miniature rudders and ship parts, evoking river journeys;
– everyday items, often broken: needles, keys and locks, fishhooks, and vessel parts like feet and handles;
– personal ornaments including rings, earrings, phallic amulets, bracelets, fibulae, and buckles;
– lead plaques inscribed with commercial markings—genuine labels from the ancient textile trade.