Satricum, Archaeology Pontina
5 dates to remember:
1896: discovery of Satricum
1977: discovery the "Lapis Satricanum"
ninth century BC: the construction of the village will then Satricum
2003: Inauguration of the tour of the site and introductory exposure.
2006: Inauguration of the documentation center of the site.
Talking site means Satricum dispel many myths dispelled those in its discovery.
First myth: Satricum is the archaeological site of the city of Latina, and as such testimony to the fact that the plain Pontina was not exactly a malarial swamp uninhabited but, indeed, found space for a city and was home to a flourishing network of roads that linking the North and the South
Myth: The first construction phase of Satricum from the IX-VIII century BC. If we consider that the Romans began their expansion in the third century. BC, we can deduce that they were not the first and only popular in the plain before 1800, and this without considering the prehistory!
At the time of the founding and development of Satricum, Italy revolved around two great cultural centers: the Etruscan (which began just north of Rome) and the Great Greek (which was already beginning south of Terracina). But besides these two worlds in close communication with the Mediterranean, there were many people who base their economy on agriculture and pastoralism and who lived in the Italian countryside: people just Italians. The Volsci were between them and, perhaps, were also among the most powerful and important. Satricum Volsci was a city founded by Volsci and, therefore, in constant conflict with Rome, a city that has lived its glory in a fairly turbulent period, hovering between identity and Italica Roman conquests, but has always had as a benchmark its identity of the temple of Mater Matuta, the nerve center of the religion of the entire plain. (See adjacent town).
However, the site was not only his time, was a real city that the archaeological excavations conducted by Dutch universities are bringing to light.
Third myth to dispel: the Dutch did not come here of their own volition to strip our site but have been invited to conduct scientific research on our behalf. To understand this, we know the history of research:
- Satricum was discovered in 1896 by Hector Graillot who discovered the temple of Mater Matuta Hill Ironworks. Felice Barnabei, Adolfo Cozza and Raniero Mengarelli led the early research (1896-98) that unearthed tombs, huts and of course the temple itself.
-A period of darkness, a sort of pause for thought in those years was archeology which earned toward his stage "scientific" and not just "raid Read findings. The search resumed with Iacopi Giulio (1937) with Maria Santangelo first and then but nothing really important was achieved.
-At this point in the game the Dutch: in the sixties and seventies the archaeological site was transformed into a vineyard. Alarmed by the danger of destruction, the newly-created Committee for Archaeology Latium "(born 1974) asked the Institute of Dutch Rome to resume the research to save and protect the site as possible.
- Already in the first season, Conrad Stibbe, managed to bring forth perhaps the most important find in the city: "Lapis Satricanum", an archaic Latin inscription dedicated to publish Valerio.
- research by the Dutch went ahead and continue, first in collaboration with the University of Groningen (Marianne Kleibrink) and then with the University of Amsterdam, led by Dr. Marijke Gnade.
short, no one came to steal anything and nothing happens without authorization by the Italian web Satricum, if anything we should thank those who bring forward a job that we should do as fortunate heirs of a rich history.
few questions: Why was it so important even today Satricum not give enough weight? The answer is almost trivial for the same reasons for which, in more recent eras, it was decided to invest in the Pontine plain, making the industrial center of Rome and a large area of \u200b\u200bfarmland that has allowed the development of villages, towns and cities also important, the favorable geographical conditions.
As archaeologists do understand that a city is Volsci or Roman? And how can they have a clear framework of historical events that have affected?
In fact, the first evidence that we investigate on a site are those which should be more distinctive and determined by a historical point of view as well as the most spectacular and pleasing to behold: the Tepli and tombs. Satricum It is not stingy in this regard: the temple of Mater Matuta necropolis of the city and numerous enough to have an accurate picture of events that have affected and peoples involved.
To conclude this journey into the past then, let us be guided by the archaeologist. Satricum the temple was dedicated to a god who had an importance of respect for the Italian people and, indeed, was quite a landmark in the collective balance of the period as essential divinity: the Mater Matuta, the mother of the morning sunrise of life that begins and as such tutelary deity of pregnant women and of life itself. This is, without doubt, the fundamental core around which revolved the life of the city both from a spiritual perspective and social buildings and topography. The temple of Mater Matuta in fact, lies at the heart of what was defined as the Acropolis of the city, which is the administrative and social center of the city itself. Acropolis were the most important places of worship, buildings and administrative systems of representation, always here, there is the public life of cities. In most cases then, the Acropolis was found in the topographically highest point of the territory, so that was clearly visible to all and that everything was visible from there (try to remember where is located the Parthenon in Athens in order to have a better idea). Wanting to force a comparison with our company, the Acropolis was what for us is the town square or cathedral. In fact, however, recognize the existence of an acropolis and a city means imply its proximity to the topographic model greek first and then rather than Roman Italic, the public life of Rome in fact took place in places defined as "holes", a model of public area much closer to our streets than the Acropolis.
The architectural phases
The City has experienced at least four architectural phases, corresponding roughly to the architectural phases of the Temple (see diagram and timeline). The Phase VII-IX century. BC: In this period Satricum as elsewhere in Italy is still living in huts round or oval partially excavated in the soil to retain heat and allow to stand despite a roof is not very high compared to the ground. The floor was dirt, the walls in rushes or plaited reeds or shrubs covered with dried mud or plaster in the case of the most important buildings and home life revolved around the hearth, usually placed at the center of the house. Satricum began as a gathering of their huts at the Acropolis. The first architectural phase of the Temple is just a hut with a fireplace in the center and in which, subsequently, was made (perhaps in conjunction with the destruction of the premises) to hold a votive votive gifts religious objects (statues, vases Ceramic and miniature, buckles and related subjects to the sphere of female activities such as bobbins and loom weights). The tombs of this welcome but still cremation burials also begin to appear (or the burial of the entire body) in most important tombs, family type and constructed hut-shaped, as if to remind the intention of continuing the afterlife.
II Phase VII-V century BC: It 's the time when you start to build in masonry at least for the most important buildings. Acropolis of Satricum, instead of the hut, is the so-called "shrine", a rectangular room with roof light elements, in which it continued to celebrate the cult as demonstrated once again the finds in the votive deposit. The houses began to be constructed in brick and the streets take on the most defined and sometimes, as in the case of the highway leading to the temple, monuments. At the beginning of this phase is attributed the beautiful chamber tomb rich with bronze which indicates the presence of at least one prominent family on the site.
Phase III 550 to 500 BC. instead of the shrine but with his same approach is built another temple, called "The Temple" surrounded by columns on all sides except the back (periptero postico sine) as Italica typical structure of the temple. In this phase, the Etruscan influence is very evident. As in the phase of the chapel, the roof of the temple consists of wooden beams, is covered with tiles and tiles and decorated with what are called "archiettoniche crockery. The Etruscans were in Italy, the masters of this art that were then passed the Romans. On the roofs of the temples were made decorations even as complex as some mythological scenes. The pieces of pottery that made these scenes were almost always painted with lively colors and donavano the temple look lively and charming and impressive at the same time. However, despite adopt a technique that then become established, the roof of the temple of Satricum is an early example has already found and decorative motifs such as the innovative technique of painting on black. Recognizable change in the temple can be associated with one of the streets, as it will be for the next step. The importance of the city in this period is also recognizable by the presence of a wall boundary constructed by the technique dell'Aggere (ie the bank)
Phase IV: the early fifth century (500-480 BC) the temple takes on even greater importance in view of worship italics so as to require a reconstruction. The Temple is demolished to make way for a temple larger and with a different orientation than the previous, perhaps to trace a new urban plan of the city itself. The temple has a new architecture more complex than the previous year. The columns surrounding the now full and the roof, more complex than the previous one, is decorated with a larger variety of shapes and decoration as well as the statues of the same clay-size placed on top.
In the construction of this temple was also used a block of tufa, which turned out to be one of the most important finds from the site: The Lapis satricanum.
This block tuff with the famous inscription was made in the Archaic period (in the historic period in between time 0 and I) probably as a base of a statue. The text is devoted to a (see background text of the page) to the war god Mars by associates (members of a fraternity) of the Roman consul Pubbli Valerio. Importance of this dedication is in the historic confirmation of the existence of this mythical character of the Roman Republic is considered one of the founding fathers of the same. Publius Valerius said Poplicola (anyone can remember looking through a school book) was the subject of one of the famous biographies of Plutarch in which the law was re-elected four times consul of Rome, a privilege granted to few.
The tradition of votive deposits continues in this period. Behind the temple was found a deposit dated to between 350 and 200 BC It 'clear that the processions to bring gifts to the temple should be increased as the importance of it. These votive deposits in fact, are nothing more than "closets" where the gifts were accumulated that the faithful brought to the temple to ingratiate the gods (a bit like our ornaments and figurines of various saints) and that did not end in a matter of trade operated by the priests but remained at the temple.
The burials of this period speak Volsci. I conquered volsci Satricum in 488 BC and remained there until the arrival of the Romans. The tombs of this period show with their complex spatial organization, the existence of a society as complex and layered but roughly egalitarian. The graves are simple pits dug in the ground where the dead were placed supine with more or less depending on the kit is important.
remains to ask what happens to the site now, after its rediscovery. We live in a period
Lucky Town, where you can look back with scientific techniques and draw conclusions that can affect our future and our present as inheritors of culture and unique natural beauty, but often forget. And so, good things should be valued and passed on to our children end up in oblivion, suffocated by moneyed bad things ... but the question is important we feel about our history and the history of our area to feel enthusiastic players of the same to build its future? If so we have to strive to maintain and advertise in places like Satricum as not only beautiful but useful. The City of Latina and the Superintendence for Archaeological Heritage Lazio have done, albeit on two distinct roads, the first step to make it happen. On the site now there are two realities: a structure that covers and protects the temple associated with an educational tour at the archaeological park that illustrates the substance and importance and a trail within the former ironworks, in a structure that was renamed "documentation area" complete with 3D panels and stereography site.
I can not help but wonder why the existence of two paths when all they need a well made and because of the lack of a single entity to which they refer to the use of these goods, but the important thing is to start and so things will improve, we need people to step forward and participate by making a gesture as simple as visiting the site and do not complain if there is a price (too often paltry) input or a fee to be paid to those who takes you on a guided tour. The things of quality, on the other hand, have paid the price and things take on value ... enjoy your visit!
History Satricum
Before the fifth century. Satricum is never named but is first of its glory then living
500-480 BC Satricum participates in various events of the wars against Rome as a city Volsci Latina.
Rome 390 BC by the division of land in the territory Satricum using a peace treaty signed with Volsci. These, annoyed, cause last fierce resistance to Rome.
386 BC M. Furio Camillo first and the dictator A. Cornelius then Cosso (385) defeated Volsci, Latin and Ernici at Satricum and conquer. A colony of two thousand Roman citizens, is determined to Satricum.
383 BC Volsci Satricum resume.
381 BC M. Furio Camillo and L. Furio attempt to regain Satricum.
377 BC The consular tribunes P. Valerio and L. Emilio Volsci and defeated the Latins at Satricum. The city is destroyed and burned permanently save the temple.
Volsci 349 BC to rebuild Antium the city. I1
346 BC consul M. Valerio Corvo conquer the city and the fire, the temple is spared.
341 BC Volsci gather at Satricum. After that we no longer know anything about the city until 207 BC when it tells of a thunderbolt fell on the temple.
