On the Origins of the Forum Romanum
1990; Archaeological Institute of America; Volume: 94; Issue: 4 Linguagem: Inglês
10.2307/505123
ISSN1939-828X
Autores Tópico(s)Classical Antiquity Studies
ResumoThe excavations made by Boni and Gjerstad at the socalled Equus Domitiani provide the main body of evidence on the origins of the Forum Romanum. Gjerstad interpreted Strata 23–28 at the base of his sounding in the center of the Forum as layers that witnessed early hut habitation. It was held that Stratum 22, which represents the first gravel pavement of the Forum, was laid down on top of the hut strata. Recent environmental studies in the center of ancient Rome now make it possible to reconstruct the original relief of the Forum basin. Given the wet conditions that once obtained in the lower part of the basin, it is unlikely that huts made of wattle-and-daub were ever inhabited in this low-lying place. Indeed, when a review of the archaeological evidence is made, little support for the existence of huts in the so-called hut levels is found. The article proposes a new account of the origin of the Forum. The strata in question are now interpreted as a thick deposit of landfill; a reclamation project was purposefully undertaken in order to transform the environment in the center of the basin and thus create an improved public space for the establishment of the Forum. The article closes with a brief discussion of some of the implications of the new interpretation.
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