For those wishing to see a bit of Massa Martana, or maybe if you are missing it already, the Commune di Massa Martana has produced a ca. 28 minute film about the town, its surroundings, and its history. The film features familiar figures, such as the mayor and other prominent Martani like Elena Burchi. The soundtrack is part smooth Jazz (for the cool present), part classical (for the catacombs), and part military-style band (for the Romans).
http://www.familylifetv.it/video/massa_martana
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Monday, March 19, 2012
Sant'Ippolito (Hippolytus)
Continuing my occasional posts about medieval churches near the Vicus ad Martis, here are some images of Sant'Ippolito, a medieval church near Massa Martana.
The church could date to about the same period as other, visually similar, churches nearby, ca. 13th century. But, the re-used material in the facade and apse, suggest that the original construction could be earlier.
The church appears to be largely neglected and is between a house and barn, and next to the parking lot of restaurant. The apse, which is in fairly good condition, serves as a lean-to for extra farm equipment used in the barn behind the church.
I was unable to enter the church when I visited. However, a photo posted by "Vicus Martis" on panoramio.com appears to show the inside of the church.
While the thick layer of dust indicates that the church has not been used for some time, the church interior has frescoes that would appear to be worthy of documentation before further deterioration. The interior decorative program could yield clues as to the date and history of the church.
The church could date to about the same period as other, visually similar, churches nearby, ca. 13th century. But, the re-used material in the facade and apse, suggest that the original construction could be earlier.
The church appears to be largely neglected and is between a house and barn, and next to the parking lot of restaurant. The apse, which is in fairly good condition, serves as a lean-to for extra farm equipment used in the barn behind the church.
I was unable to enter the church when I visited. However, a photo posted by "Vicus Martis" on panoramio.com appears to show the inside of the church.
While the thick layer of dust indicates that the church has not been used for some time, the church interior has frescoes that would appear to be worthy of documentation before further deterioration. The interior decorative program could yield clues as to the date and history of the church.
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Minos Attempts to Kill Baby Minotaur
One Saturday this past summer I had a chance to visit the absolutely amazing archaeological museum in Perugia. Among the wonders of their collection are a large number of Etruscan and Roman cinerary urns. One of the most popular motifs among their decorated cinerary urns is the sacrifice of Iphegenia, about which I hope to post more soon. However, among the multiple examples of the sacrifice of Iphegenia, I encountered one scene I had never seen before on a cinerary urn, or any other medium for that matter: Minos' encounter with baby Minotaur.
The scene includes Pasiphaë on the ground, naked with a blanket around her; two standing women, the one on the right holding a baby with what could be a bull's face; and Minos, on the far right with sword raised, threatening to kill baby Minotaur, Pasiphaë, or maybe both.
The grown Minotaur appears was a popular theme in Greek (particularly Athenian) art, and I know of one example of the baby Minotaur on Pasiphaë's lap, depicted in a red-figure kylix from Eturia (of Attic manufacture), below.
There are also multiple examples of Theseus and the Minotaur. However, the Perugia urn was the first example I had seen of Minos' encounter with Pasiphaë's newborn son and the attempt at violence that followed. Why this would be a fitting subject for a cinerary urn at all, I am unsure. Perhaps the kylix from Etruria indicates that the story of baby Minotaur was popular in Northern Italy by the fourth century, in which case the cinerary urn could suggest the continuing popularity of the theme into the second century. However, I would like to find out if there are other representations of the birth scene and Minos' reaction from northern Italy, or elsewhere. So, if readers know of any additional examples, please send them on!
Addendum:
In response to reader requests, I have added a photo of the Perugia Museum's label for the cinerary urn featuring Minos attempting to kill the baby Minotaur. Enjoy!
 |
| travertine cinerary urn of a woman -- from territory of Perugia -- 2nd century BCE |
The grown Minotaur appears was a popular theme in Greek (particularly Athenian) art, and I know of one example of the baby Minotaur on Pasiphaë's lap, depicted in a red-figure kylix from Eturia (of Attic manufacture), below.
 |
| Pasiphaë and the Minotaur. Tondo of an Attic red-figure kylix, 340-320 BC. From Vulci. Now at BnF -- Paris, Cabinet de Medailles. |
There are also multiple examples of Theseus and the Minotaur. However, the Perugia urn was the first example I had seen of Minos' encounter with Pasiphaë's newborn son and the attempt at violence that followed. Why this would be a fitting subject for a cinerary urn at all, I am unsure. Perhaps the kylix from Etruria indicates that the story of baby Minotaur was popular in Northern Italy by the fourth century, in which case the cinerary urn could suggest the continuing popularity of the theme into the second century. However, I would like to find out if there are other representations of the birth scene and Minos' reaction from northern Italy, or elsewhere. So, if readers know of any additional examples, please send them on!
Addendum:
In response to reader requests, I have added a photo of the Perugia Museum's label for the cinerary urn featuring Minos attempting to kill the baby Minotaur. Enjoy!
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Sant'Arnaldo
On weekends the past summer, I was able to visit some of the medieval churches near Massa Martana. One of those churches was dedicated to Sant'Arnaldo. The church is dated to the late 13th century, according to the Commune di Massa Martana. The facade, below, and details, show indications of later repairs. Also visible at the rear of the church, is a residence, presumably used in former times by those associated with the church.
For the curious visitor, a helpful sign reveals that Sant' Arnaldo is a special protector against the malady of hernias.
 |
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Vicus ad Martis at the AIA
I (along with other teams members) will be presenting the results of the 2011 excavations at the AIA Annual Meeting in Philadelphia, Jan. 5-8, 2012.
Our presentation will be in Session 6 (Roman Italy), on Saturday, Jan. 7, from 2:45-5:15. The conference program and website is here. It should be a good session. I hope to see some readers there!
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Last days of 2011 excavation
Our last day of formal excavation for the 2011 season was on Tuesday, July 12. In the last days before the end of the season we were able to further clarify some of the building phases and their relationship to a road running through the Vicus, as seen in the photo below.
In one of the larger trenches, we discovered the foundations of a significant structure, which, judging from its depth, is one of the earliest at the site.
The foundations of the large structure are about at the level of the water table, which made deeper excavation impractical this season.
Trenches in other areas of the site discovered sizable foundations at about the same depth, below foundations belonging to later phases. As in the trench pictured below, these foundations were also discovered at considerable depth, at about the level of the water table.
We will have a public briefing about the excavation this afternoon, at 3:30, at San Pietro sopra le Acque, a resort hotel in a former convent.
Trenches in other areas of the site discovered sizable foundations at about the same depth, below foundations belonging to later phases. As in the trench pictured below, these foundations were also discovered at considerable depth, at about the level of the water table.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
The high speed USB modem
As readers may have noticed, my blogging ceased after the first week or so. This was partly due to problems with Wi-Fi at our residence in Italy and (more significantly) being chased out of our office in Massa Martana by the hosts of the Micro-Olympics, who commandeered the office for organizing the event. The office contained the LAN line used by the excavation. However, I have been able to get back on line for the last week, thanks to what I consider an absolutely amazing device, the high speed USB modem.
Apparently I am one of the last people to know about these devices, but they way the work, and that this one (from TIM) works so well, I find incredible. It is faster than the hard line in our (former) office. TIM's version of this device works sort of like their pay-as-you-go cell phones. It is loaded with a SIM card and, in this case, you prepay for a number of hours and can buy more. For anyone traveling for long periods in Italy, I highly recommend these things. This one, at least, is fast enough for Skyping, which saves quite a bit on international long distance.
And with that, I will leave you with a nice picture of some of the small finds from the excavation, including a nice little unguentarium.
And with that, I will leave you with a nice picture of some of the small finds from the excavation, including a nice little unguentarium.
Monday, July 4, 2011
Interesting finds
In the excavation of the areas associated with the Vicus we have had some interesting finds in the last week, including this amphora toe,
which appears to be from an amphora similar in type to the one next to this little girl, seen in the Spoleto museum:
The amphora toe was discovered resting on a surface, which should help to date the surrounding walls and structure.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Excavation Begins
Last week we cleared one of the areas we will be excavating this season. Geomagnetic surveys from previous years indicate substantial remains below the surface along the (probable) Via Flaminia in this area. In the photo below, you can see the tractor clearing the grass, which was later bailed and hauled away.
We expanded the grid used in previous season to include this new area and marked the points of the grid with poles, as seen in the photo below.
With the grid marked out, we began excavating three, 2x2 meter test trenches, chosen strategically based on the data from the geomagnetic surveys.
Excavation this week was complicated by occasional rains and muddy soil. However, we hope to get below topsoil in the next few days.
We expanded the grid used in previous season to include this new area and marked the points of the grid with poles, as seen in the photo below.
With the grid marked out, we began excavating three, 2x2 meter test trenches, chosen strategically based on the data from the geomagnetic surveys.
Excavation this week was complicated by occasional rains and muddy soil. However, we hope to get below topsoil in the next few days.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Planning and Exploring
The faculty have arrived for this seasons excavations. Our accommodations, provided by Angelantoni Industrie, our corporate sponsor, appear to be well-suited for our purposes.
Today we are examining the survey data from last season, designing our grid expansion for this season, and discussing where will place our first test trenches in the areas.
Yesterday we did a bit of exploring along the Via Flaminia south of the site -- looking at some of the retaining walls near the via, and some possible evidence of ancient structures nearby. One such wall appears below.
The student volunteers arrive later today. Stay tuned!
Today we are examining the survey data from last season, designing our grid expansion for this season, and discussing where will place our first test trenches in the areas.
Yesterday we did a bit of exploring along the Via Flaminia south of the site -- looking at some of the retaining walls near the via, and some possible evidence of ancient structures nearby. One such wall appears below.
The student volunteers arrive later today. Stay tuned!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)