Vedrudena

Vedrudena is an ancient Roman pottery estate located near the village of Scabechia in Calabria, Italy. The site was discovered in 1984 and was later excavated by Italian archaeologists between 1987 and 1993. The name "Vedrudena" is derived from the Latin words "vedere" for to see and "rudis" for medieval rustic, possibly referring to the estate's former function as a medieval shepherd's hut or farmstead.

The excavation of Vedrudena revealed a complex of ancient buildings, including a Roman villa, thermae, a wine press and a large area for olive oil production. The site's significance lies in its well-preserved buildings and artifacts, which provide valuable insights into Roman viticulture and agricultural practices. The excavators identified several layers of occupation, dating back to the late Republican period (150-100 BCE), with subsequent phases of rebuilding and renovation during the Imperial era (50 BCE-476 CE).

The site's collections include various artifacts such as wine jugs, amphorae, ceramic vessels, and numerous stonework artifacts that processed and stored wine and olive oil. In addition, archaeologists uncovered several fossilized olive seeds and numerous fossilized stones used in the production process. The materials recovered at Vedrudena offer a unique opportunity to study the ancient Roman method of wine production and offer a glimpse into the daily life of Roman vintners and agricultural workers in southern Italy during Roman rule.