The house’s owner, who, according to archaeologists, may be depicted in this fresco from the cubiculum, would likely have been a wealthy merchant. Roman Asisium (modern Assisi), was a thriving commercial town and home to many prosperous families. remains of the Temple of Minerva are visible. To the south, there was a residential quarter where some of Asisium’s richest families lived. “We are going to concentrate our efforts in the future there,” says Manca. But she also hopes to return to the excavation of the house someday.“It would be wonderful to uncover all the rooms that once faced the peristyle,” she says,“and to reconnect all the parts of the house that lie under the town. This is the most important archaeological evidence of the ancient city we have ever found.” ■ Marco Merola is a freelance journalist working in Rome. www.archaeology.org 43http://www.archaeology.org