Settepolesini: Fossils and Roman History

Settepolesini brings together very different periods and natural themes: a sand quarry preserves animal remains deposited by the Po more than 50,000 years ago; a Roman necropolis records the dedication to Marcus Nevius Marcello. In addition, the site is home to a macrovertebrate fossil deposit that is unique in Italy and internationally significant, as well as the private natural history Oasi Zarda, created through ecological restoration. Natural history, archaeology and renewed nature give the place several distinct points of interest.

Fossils and long spans of time

The sand quarry in Settepolesini preserves animal remains deposited by the Po more than 50,000 years ago. This time span reaches far back before the Roman traces and gives a concrete measure of the natural history of the place. The macrovertebrate fossil deposit is unique in Italy and internationally significant. This raises two different questions: how far back does the history of the deposits go, and what significance does the fossil deposit have beyond the local area? The long timescale and international significance reveal two different aspects of Settepolesini’s natural history.

A Roman dedication bearing a name

The Roman necropolis of Fondo Cà di Dio offers another way to approach the past. It contains a tomb with a stele dedicated to Marcus Nevius Marcello. The stele names his sons Prudens, Velox and Cultor as the dedicators. These names give Roman history a personal dimension: the dedication connects a named man with his three sons. Visitors interested in archaeological traces can focus here on a specific human relationship, rather than seeing the Roman past only as a distant era. Together with the much older deposit of animal remains, it creates a clear contrast in time.

Oasi Zarda and ecological restoration

The private natural history Oasi Zarda offers another perspective on nature. It was created through ecological restoration and the planting of native species from the area. Its creation is therefore tied to a process: restoration and native plants both shape it. Unlike the fossil remains or the Roman dedication, the focus here is not on a deposit from the distant past or an ancient person, but on the creation of an oasis through ecological work. This makes Oasi Zarda a distinct natural theme alongside palaeontology and archaeology.

A theme to help plan your holiday

When looking for a holiday apartment in Settepolesini, these differences can provide a starting point for your trip. Which perspective would you like to focus on during your holiday: the very long natural history, the Roman dedication bearing a name, or ecological restoration? If you are travelling with children and enjoy talking about places together, these themes offer different ways to start a conversation: animal remains lead to questions about the past, the dedication to the people named and their relationship, and the oasis to the idea of restoration. This way, you can plan your trip around your own interests rather than giving equal weight to every theme.

Discover more destinations

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See the main travel guide: Ferrara.