Ricerc@Sapienza

The archaeological research and excavation project focuses on one of the most significant and historically qualified areas of the centre of ancient Rome, whose adequate knowledge has been, however, inhibited by the numerous transformations that have characterized its history up to the contemporary age. Literary, epigraphic and iconographic sources - already collected, systematized and analysed by the proposer of the present research project in several monographs and articles published and discussed in the last twenty years - suggest a wide range of archaeological and topographic issues that are crucial for the reconstruction of the urban history of this sector of the ancient city. First of all, the topographical and toponymical definition of the neighbourhood called Velia in many ancient sources; its road structure strictly connected to the delicate issue of identification of the Via Sacra route; the definition of the urban phases marked by important monumental programs of the imperial age; the recognition of a series of ancient sanctuaries of high religious, political and ideological importance; and finally, the structuring of the functional and social physiognomy of an area so close to the Roman Forum and over the time interpreter of different settlement, commercial, monumental and representative vocations.
A focused program of stratigraphic investigations, anchored to a complete survey of the previous excavations and discoveries, will allow to acquire decisive documentary elements for a better understanding of the various topographical and historical problems. The scientific value of the program will be enriched by the comparison with the great discoveries made in the last decades in the adjacent areas of the Palatine, with which the area in question has historically constituted a coherent urban system and, at the same time, the connection to the eastern neighbourhoods of the city.