Archaeologists at the site of Ancient Italica in southern Spain have unearthed a massive administrative and workshop complex dedicated to the production of imperial statuary. Dating to the 2nd century CE, the facility appears to have been the primary center for drafting and refining the designs of marble statues sent to Roman provinces across the western Mediterranean. The site is uniquely preserved, offering a rare look at the industrial side of Roman art.
Most notably, the team discovered a series of incised stone slabs that served as life-sized templates for the proportions of emperors and deities. These 'master drawings' allowed local sculptors to achieve perfect symmetry and standardization. In addition to the templates, the excavation recovered several precision iron calipers and specialized drills, as well as a collection of high-quality marble offcuts imported from Carrara, demonstrating the site's elite status within the imperial supply chain.