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.
