MuseoMag: MuseoMag 2018_01

MuseoMag 2018_01

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Title:: MuseoMag

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Title:: MuseoMag 2018_01

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Title:: Into the heart of a sacred place: The archeological excavations of Campo della Fiera di Orvieto

7 01 ‘ 2018 museomag TEMPORARY EXHIBITION (Orvieto) that took place between 308 and 280 BC and ended with the capture of the city in 264 BC. In front of the remains of this temple, a number of children were buried in honour of a mother deity, as revealed by the Etruscan word atial (“of the mother”) written on a bucchero cup (type of black monochrome Etruscan pottery). In front of the building’s facade were placed the remains of bronze strips from a chariot. A large number of Greek ceramics, offerings to the sanctuary made by wealthy devotees, were also found. The road follows the slopes of the hill towards the large Temple B that dominated the whole sanctuary and was surrounded by porticoes, fountains and basins. This building was destroyed in 264 BC but the place was not abandoned. Shortly after, a ceramic workshop was set up, its circular kiln was found almost intact. CONTINUOUSLY USED AS A RELIGIOUS SITE Between the end of the 1st century BC and the 1st century AD, an extensive part of Campo della Fiera underwent major transformations due to the construction of a sumptuous domus. This private Roman residence fea- tured a large meeting hall that was connected to ther- mal baths that were decorated with rich floor-coverings, among which a mosaic of exceptional quality showing Scylla and sea monsters. This residence was restructured Base with inscription of a dedication to the deity Tluschva, last quarter of the 6th century BC, Orvieto, National Archaeological Museum. © Archivio dello Scavo Campo della Fiera Oinochoe modeled after the shape of the head of Dionysos, cera- mic, end of the 6th century BC, Orvieto, National Archaeological Museum. in the 2nd century AC and was inhabited until the end of the 4th century AC, when the edict promulgated by the emperor Theodosius put a final end to pagan cults, ceasing the sanctuary’s activities as a consequence. During the 6th and 7th centuries, the building was transformed into a place of Christian worship. On the same spot, the church of San Pietro in Vetere was built between the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. Even though its exact location was lost over time, it was found again during excavations. A 30-meter-long building, that served either as a refectory or as a warehouse, was discovered next to the church. This building was demolished in the 15th century, crea- ting an open space used as a marketplace, hence the origin of today’s toponym Campo della Fiera. Thus, the site of Campo della Fiera was continuously used as a religious site over more than two thousand years, from the 6th century BC to the 15th century AD. Simonetta Stopponi, scientific curator The celestial place. Etruscans and their gods – The federal sanctuary of Orvieto Temporary exhibition from March, 16 to September, 2 2018. Vernissage 15 March 2018.

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