Soprintendenza Archeologica di Pompei. 폼페이(Pompeii)

Soprintendenza Archeologica di Pompei.

폼페이(Pompeii). 이탈리아(Italy)

 

 

Casa Dei Postumii VIII 4, 4.49 and its Insula

A project of the

Deutsches Archiiologisches Institut, Rome

and the

Kommission zur Erforschung des antiken Stodtewesens

an der Bayerischen Akademie der Wissenschaften

Location     Casa dei Postumii VIII 4, 4.49 and its surrounding constructions are located in the

                 center of Pompeii between the Stabian Baths and the buildings at Foro

                 Triangulare. The structure, uncovered already in 1861, borders Via

                 dell'Abbondanza to the north, which as decumanus maximus is one of the town's

                 busiest streets.

 

Goals          At the core of the project is an attempt to creaste a picture, as complete as

                  possible, of the development, appearance and function of a connected

                  architectural complex inside Pompeii. For several reasons Casa del Postumii,

                  along with the adjacent buildings to the west andsouth, seems to be an ideal site

                  for this.

                  The ensemble consists of a generously desgned atrium-peristyle-house (Casa

                  dei Postumii) at the interior of the complex as well as numerous shops and at

                  least two separate apartments (accessible from the street) on the upper floor.

                  The typical side-by-side arrangement of small and large units within such blocks

                  (Lat. insulae) poses not only historical and architectural questions, but also

                  promises insights into the social and economic relations of their inhabitants. The

                  research, primarily directed toward current historical questions, is based on a

                  simultaneously conducted thorough documentation of the monument.

 

Work in

Progress      The recording of the ground plan on a 1:50 scale was completed mostly during

                  the campaigns of 1997, 1998 and 1999, while simultaneoously, the layout of

                  cross sections on the same scale had begun. Several stratigraphic excavations
                  led to a better understanding of the ensemble's orgin as well as its various

                  changes of use. The still existing wall decorations were recorded in drawings and

                  photographs and examined by restoration experts. The company Studiosus

                  Reissen Munich sponsors the conservation of the bed- and dining room

                  (cubiculum) 5. Thanks to this generous donation, we were able to set up a

                  temporary roof above the cubiculum in May 1998 to prevent further deterioration

                  through weathering. The first conservation measures began in spring 1999.

 

Results        After a preliminary evaluation of the archeological probes we are able to state that

                  the genesis of the complex dates back at least to the 1st century BC. Traces of

                  an earlier settlement of the area could be verified at various points. In the last

                  decades before the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD. a thorough reconstruction.

                  took place, primarily along the row of shops on the western facade. The atrium-

                  peristyle-house itself shows signs of a long and dynamic history: the analysis of

                  a probe taken from the impluvium (collecting basin for rainwater) indicates that

                  there was once an open courtyard in this location. Inside the peristyle we noticed

                  remnants of an older construction. However, before dating those precisely we

                  will have to await the results of further probes. In today's visible form the peri-

                  style apparently belongs only to the town's last phase, shortly before it was

                  buried altogether. Overall we can say that along the periphery of the complex the

                  areas used for economic purposes were extended, while at the same time the

                  interior reveals a greater refinement of the level of luxury.

                  Building complexes like Casa dei Postumii and its insula, consisting of an

                  enclosed atrium-peristyle-house surronded by numerous shops along the street

                  fronts, as well as apartments in the upper story, were built in Pompeii on busy

                  intersections since the 2nd cnetury B.C., at the latest. At that time the economic

                  life of the town experienced its first great Flourish, bringing an increased demand

                  for retail space, a higher level of luxury, and resulting in the building of houses

                  very similar in structure to the Casa dei Postumii and its insula.

                  So far the results of our research document the longevity of this type of building.

                  As a tried and true model, it remained atractive to upper class builders throughout

                  the late phase of the Vesuvian towns. We can read from this that the social and

                  economic framework out of which such architecture arose, remained intact

                  throughout the time of the Roman emperors.

 

Informations   www.dainst.de

 

                   The conservation efforts are sponsored by Studiosus Reisen Munich.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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