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.