Medieval Tomb Discovered Under Piazza San Marco in Venice

Archaeologists excavating under Piazza San Marco in Venice have uncovered a medieval tomb containing the remains of seven individuals and a child's skull, dating to the Early Middle Ages. The discovery occurred during restoration work on the masegni (stone paving blocks) beneath the Procuratie Vecchie, directed by Dr. Sara Bini of the Soprintendenza. The excavation builds on earlier digs from 1885 and 1889 led by Federico Berchet and Giacomo Boni, who had identified walls and produced a detailed plan. The recent finds include masonry structures and pavement levels partially attributed to the ancient church of San Gemignano (known as the Church of the Doges), demolished in the 12th century, later rebuilt by Jacopo Sansovino in the 16th century, and finally razed by Napoleon in 1807 to make way for the Ala Napoleonica. The tomb, described by Bini as a masonry structure with a certain monumentality for the period, suggests the buried individuals were of aristocratic status. She noted that collective burials were common, with tombs reopened to accommodate new occupants. The discovery adds to the understanding of Venice's medieval origins and has renewed interest in areas not excavated since the late 19th century.