Professional profile

Classical Archaeology | Archaeology of Construction | Greek and Roman Archaeology | Roman Empire | Digital Heritage | Archaeometry

Classical archaeologist whose primary research focus lies in the archaeology of architecture in the Greek and Roman worlds, from the Archaic period to Late Antiquity. His research centers on craft knowledge in construction, building-site organization, ancient building techniques, and the procurement and processing of materials. His scholarly activity is situated at the intersection of architectural survey and reconstruction of ancient monuments, archaeology of construction, archaeometry of materials, and the history of art and architecture, with the aim of identifying the productive, socio-economic, and cultural dynamics that define the long-term biography of monuments. An innovative strand of his research concerns architectural restoration in the ancient world, investigated as both a technical practice and a cultural phenomenon.

Part of his work is devoted to the public architecture of Asia Minor, grounded in long-term participation in archaeological missions at Hierapolis, Teos, and Tripolis ad Maeandrum. Since 2018, he has coordinated the project “The Monumental Nymphaeum of Tripolis ad Maeandrum: Archaeology, Architecture, and Restoration,” recognized by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAECI), in synergy with the mission of Pamukkale University directed by prof. Bahadır Duman. The project is devoted to the documentation, study, graphic reconstruction, and anastylosis of a large mid-imperial fountain restored in the fifth century AD. At Tripolis, conservation and restoration are closely intertwined with the analysis of the transition from the imperial tradition to the Byzantine horizon, offering a privileged case study for understanding the technical and cultural transformations of Late Antiquity.

The study of craft traditions underpins the project “The Temple of Dionysos at Teos,” conducted in collaboration with the mission of Ankara University directed by prof. Musa Kadıoğlu and with Sapienza University of Rome. Through an integrated approach combining architectural analysis and traceology, the research aims to reconstruct the micro-history of the building site of the celebrated temple designed by Hermogenes in the third century BCE, and to trace its transformations into the second century CE, when the temple was completed under the emperor Hadrian.

The monumental center of Rome is the focus of the project “Basilica Iulia,” conducted since 2015 in agreement with the Colosseum Archaeological Park and with Sapienza University of Rome. Originating from the study of the important archaeological investigations carried out by Laura Fabbrini between 1960 and 1964 on the pre-imperial phases of the southern area of the Roman Forum, the project focuses on the survey, study, and reconstruction of the imperial phases, from the Augustan monument to the Tetrarchic building. Within the framework of the PNRR CHANGES program and the Horizon project “StratiGraph,” the methodological challenge lies in transforming the monument’s 3D model into a digital repository capable of integrating archival documentation, legacy excavation data, stratigraphic records, and three-dimensional models of materials, thereby allowing transparent interpretative process and historical reconstruction.

Research at the Sanctuary of Athena in Castro, carried out in collaboration with the Soprintendenza ABAP of Brindisi–Lecce and the University of Salento, opens new perspectives on the architectural culture of the colony of Taranto and of Messapia. This work integrates archaeometric analyses of terracottas and polychromy, architectural study, and museum enhancement.

Member of the Scientific Council of the Department of Social sciences and humanities, cultural heritage of the National Research Council of Italy (CNR DSU), serves as Expert for the Disciplinary Sector SH6 – Study of the Human Past, is co-editor of the journal Asia Minor (Class A, Scopus), and is adjunct professor at the University of Florence.

CNR Disciplinary Fields and Research Management Sectors

• SH6 The Study of the Human Past
• SH6_1 Archaeological methods and theory, history of archaeology

MUR Italian Scientific-Disciplinary Sector

• ARCH-01/D Classical Archaeology
• ARCH-01/G Archaeological Research Methods

Groups & Labs CNR ISPC

Archaeology and Environment Research Group →
Heritage Materials Science Lab →

Publications

CNR IRIS platform →

Highlight

M. Galli, T. Ismaelli (2022). Basilica Iulia I – Gli scavi di Laura Fabbrini (1960-1964). Strutture, stratigrafie e materiali dalla prima età repubblicana alla costruzione augustea, Istanbul: Ege Yayınları. ISBN 978-625-8056-42-6.

T. Ismaelli, S. Bozza (2022). Olivelle a Hierapolis di Frigia. Analisi tecnologica e morfo-dimensionale dei dispositivi di sollevamento tra Augusto e Alessandro Severo, in Thiasos 11, pp. 319-353.

T. Ismaelli (2020). I fregi a girali abitati dell’Athenaion di Castro: iconografia e linguaggio formale di una creazione tarentina, in Mitteilungen des Deutschen Archaeologischen Instituts. Roemische Abteilung, 126, 2020, pp. 141-204.