TIVOLI continued The polygonal masonry of the lower villa on Colle Nocelle on the edge of the plain to the north of Tivoli was long thought to be military in nature and attempts were made to identify these sites with the "lost and mislaid cities of Ancient Latium." Now, however,it can be shown that most of such ruins belong to platforms of late Republican and early Imperial villas. The large platform of the Villa of Vallemarabetweenthe hilltop villagesof San AngeloRomanoand Montecelioto the north of Tivoli, containsthis fine U-shapedcryptoporticowhich is similar to severalat Hadrian'sVilla and served as a shelter from the summer's heat. Unfortunatelynone of its decoration,if it had any at all, has survived.