Monte Testaccio, an ancient Roman garbage dump, stands as a reminder of the city’s consumption and trade practices. Located on the outskirts of Rome, this massive mound of broken pottery reaches the height of the Pantheon, towering over the warehouse district. The majority of the pottery shards that comprise Monte Testaccio are remnants of amphorae, specifically those used for transporting olive oil. An estimated 53 million amphorae were discarded here, with a significant portion originating from the province of Baetica in modern-day Andalusia, Spain. At Monte Testaccio, An Entire Mountain is Made Up of Roman Trash 1800-Year-Old Roman Amphora of Olive Oil Contains Quote from the Legendary Virgil During the first to third centuries AD, vast quantities of olive oil were imported to Rome. These amphorae, each capable of holding approximately 70 liters of oil, were shipped from Spain and North Africa. The journey of these amphorae began on estates in Spain, where both free laborers and slaves worked the olive groves. After being filled with oil, the amphorae were transported via river and sea to the bustling harbor of Portus, near Rome. Read moreSection: NewsGeneralEuropeAncient PlacesVideosHistoryRead Later