Monte Testaccio
Monte Testaccio has provided archaeologists with a rare insight into the ancient Roman economy. The amphorae deposited in the mound were often labelled with "tituli picti", painted or stamped inscriptions which record information such as the weight of the oil contained in the vessel, the names of the people who weighed and documented the oil and the name of the district where the oil was originally bottled. This has allowed archaeologists to determine that the oil in the vessels was imported under state authority and was designated for the "annona urbis" (distribution to the people of Rome) or the "annona militaris" (distribution to the army). Indeed, some of the inscriptions found on mid-2nd century vessels at Monte Testaccio specifically record that the oil they once contained was delivered to the "praefectus annonae", the official in charge of the state-run food distribution service. It is possible that Monte Testaccio was also managed by the "praefectus annonae".