The Roman Ashlar Groin Vault at Grotta dei Massacci

Some authors have downplayed the importance of complex vaulted systems in ashlar in Roman architecture. This has led them to seek the origins of Early Modern stonecutting in Christian Syria or Languedocian Romanesque. However, some examples in many regions of the Empire, including Lazio, argue for the existence of advanced stonecutting techniques in the Roman world. In this paper, we will study an interesting example of these structures, the Grotta dei Massacci in Osteria Nuova, now in the municipality of Frasso Sabino. Starting with a precise survey carried out by 3D laser scanning and automated photogrammetry, we will put forward some hypotheses about its measurement system, proportion, stonecutting technique and the hoisting systems used in its execution.