The excavation of the site, sometimes referred to as “Mura di Santo Stefano”, near the city of Anguillara Sabazia, was directed by the BSR between 1977 and 1981. The original motive for the study of this site were the standing remains of the Roman period, which had previously been discussed by antiquaries or archaeologists (from Pirro Ligorio around 1547 to Thomas Ashby, Giuseppe Lugli and John Ward Perkins in the 20th century). The excavation was placed under the direction of David Whitehouse, director of the BSR, and involved Tom Blagg, Anthony Luttrell, Margaret Lyttelton, Kenneth Painter and Frank Sear. It received financial support from the BSR, the British Museum, the British Academy, and the University of Adelaide.