The aim of the proposed research is twofold. On the one hand to carry on the stratigraphical excavation (on-going since 1985) over a large area on the northern slope of the Palatine, between Roman Forum and Colosseum valley, and the reconstruction of the changing urban landscapes in this part of the ancient city since the Iron Age (10th c. b.c.e.) to Renaissance (16th c.). On the other hand to begin new investigations on the southern slope of the Velia Hill. It is a very relevant topographical context of high heuristic potential. Such a continuity of activities and site occupation makes this part of the ancient city an extremely intriguing case study, from an archaeological point of view, and an ideal sample to test and develop methods and strategies of collection and processing archaeological, architectural and topographical data over a large time span. More than this, the selected area coincides with the sacred and political core of ancient Rome. The evidence collected up to now allowed ancient historians and scholars of Antiquity as well to re-think problems related to the origins of the city and the history of roman institutions. It may be enough to mention the discovery of the Palatine Wall dating to 775-750 b.c.e., rebuilt until 530 b.c.e ca. and partially preserved as a marker in later urban landscape; the sanctuary of Vesta (mid 8th c. b.c.e.-Late Antiquity); royal and high priests (rex sacrorum and pontifex) residences (mid 8th c. b.c.e.-64 c.e.); a sanctuary (mid 8th c. b.c.e.-64 c.e.) to be possibly identified with the sanctuary of Jupiter Stator; the sanctuary of the Curiae Veteres; a section of the proto-urban settlement (10th-mid 8th c. b.c.e.) never attested over such a large area in Rome until now. Attention will be also paid to artefacts and biological remains in order to increase our knowledge of mass and market productions, building decoration as part of visual art, building techniques, alimentary habits and so forth.
Innovative research and possible progresses beyond the State of the Art are expected due to the above mentioned statements and according to the following remarks.
Area A, Sectors 1 and 2.
Previous investigations have already demonstrated that an extraordinary and complex archaeological deposit is preserved in both sectors, but it has been just partially investigated until now.
Area A, Sector 3.
Neither R. Lanciani nor G. Boni could investigate this sector, sealed by the collapse on the wall retaining the Farnese Garden. This is the only preserved part on the northern slope of the Palatine (and of the immediately surrounding area ) untouched by the excavation started in 1885 to uncover the central area of ancient Rome. The dig of such an area could complete both the 19th c. project of the Rome Archaeological Park, opening to the public for the first time a monument entirely uncovered, and the research project started in 1985, aiming at extensive scientific excavation in the core of ancient Rome. Furthermore, better and regular monitoring of the structural resistance of the surviving Modern and Ancient remains. It could be also possible to investigate for the first time the post antique deposits and remains which represent the only material evidence in this area of the process of transformation of the ancient city into the medieval and modern one. Not to mention the possibility of integrating the archaeological and phase plans with the imperial, republican and archaic remains still to be uncovered between the Palatine slope and the urban districts covered by the domus Tiberiana.
Area A, Sector 4.
This Sector, as well as Sector 3, is relevant from both scientific and cultural heritage management point of view. The investigation will lead to the first scientific and accurate mapping of the remains uncovered in 19th c. and still unpublished. On the other hand, relations between uncovered structures and stratigraphy could be established, accurate and precise dating for different architectural phases proposed, new deep soundings to investigate earlier phase of occupation in the area can be planned. More than this, the excavation in this sector in necessary to remove a earth dump leaning against the wall of the so called Temple of Romulus. Through this earth humidity is presently penetrating to the inner face of the wall and damaging recently restored medieval frescoes.
Area B.
This area had never been investigated in the past, but only subjected to a series of interventions (ditches, tunnels) in the Middle and modern Ages aimed at the recovery of building materials and valuables. Therefore all of our finds have so far been a novelty, revolutionizing our knowledge of the topography and architecture of this central area of the ancient city. Excavation in Sector II-III offers the possibility of adding essential data for the reconstruction of cultural, economic and social aspects of the oldest Curiae Veteres (6th-8th c. b.c.e.), now known only indirectly through materials found in secondary layers in stratigraphy of the 5th and 4th b.c.e. Artifacts and decorations prove that the stratigraphy exposed in 2015 show the remains of buildings, but also of some rituals that will help understanding the organizational framework of the sanctuary areas, and the historical and social scenarios that determined the creation, in Rome, of an unusual place of worship, associated with rites that confirmed the belonging to a specific civic body.
An improvement on the present situation will come from our commitment to give back the ecavated area reorganized so as to make it understandable to visitors. Most of the excavations, even those of exceptional historical and archaeological value, are often left to the decay of time, or reinterred on account of the inability to maintain them. Thanks to the contribution of specialists working with us on issues related to conservation and development, we have produced a serie of ideas, which have been mainly accepted by the Soprintendenza Archeologica. On top of the contribution that the excavation has given to a deeper knowledge of three millennia of urban history, it was decided that some of the key elements could be left visible and restored, considering both their degree of conservation and the uniqueness of some "signs". These features are mainly found within the complex of Neronian/Flavian Curiae Veteres (Sections II and III), and within the horreum and the late-antique domus of the IV sector (so-called Terme di Elagabalo). These restorations will respect the architectural and monumental layout of this portion of the Palatine, highlighting one single period of its complex evolution so as to offer, even to a casual visitor, a clear view of the major changes that affected this urban landscape. Such actions will give back a set of well organized and easily readable ruins, instead of a jumble of parts and pieces from different, mixed up, periods
Area nuova