Findings of an excavation are often incomprehensible, some sparse evidence of different contexts that follow each other in a very long period of time. The simple storage of these fragments in 'archaeological fences' is often an useless operation, because these findings require a previous decoding to restore their meaning and their documentary and figurative evidence. The fragmentary nature of an ancient architecture, requires a particular historiographical approach, a further assessment about the cultural function of the unearthed relics, especially in the case of an urban excavation. City is the place and the result of several diachronies that the archaeological 'emptiness' may irreparably distrupts it, without being able to reveal the meaning of this apparent chaos that suddenly revealed from the underground. Central point of this reflection is the necessity to define, in a shared way, an idea of space that is generated by the relationship between the excavation and the urban structure which participates in that imagine, changing the identity both in its internal spatial relations and in the surrounding context. Today, the relationship with the latter, is absolutely central to his interpretation and enhancement. This theme provides more points for reflection and undermines many choices in sites. Sometimes, the necessity for the protection, if detached by careful reflection on the meaning of emergency excavation, contributes to a real 'alienation' of the same. The ‘archaeological fences’, with their various heights, contribute to make obscure and marginal a heritage that should be shared, jeopardizing the conservation of the same places. The excessive ‘monumentalization’ of ruins has often led to a clear separation between ancient and modern city, denying any different relationship from the 'veneration'. Urban archeology is once again the critical point, the most sensitive area of confrontation between contemporary and archaeological ruins. However, it does not need a project that rests respectfully beyond the edge of the archaeological remains to solve the problem of 'staying in touch' with history. Breaking the splendid isolation of the ruins and restoring their identity, is the purpose that a correct evaluation should be aimed to; the key role in this research is carried out by the so-called 'border areas', the edge created between the excavation and the urban environment. Physical boundary of the investigation area, metaphorical filter between a past, which is sometimes crystallized and often incomprehensible, and a present that pushes with its many needs, a line of demarcation among the different spatio-temporal diachronies of the same place, and the limit of an excavation engraved into the fabric of living city will always involve a relationship with the surrounding reality, deeply pondered or completely disregarded. Through the analysis of some examples, in Rome and elsewhere, now and in the course of time, this paper aims to highlight the importance and the role of this boundary, so full of meaning, both in cases in which it was designed, or ignored, or reduced to a simple wire fence

Riflessione sui margini delle aree archeologiche urbane / Ercolino, Maria Grazia. - STAMPA. - 1:(2013), pp. 87-98. (Intervento presentato al convegno ci e problemi di metodo tenutosi a Bressanone nel 9-12 luglio 2013).

Riflessione sui margini delle aree archeologiche urbane

ERCOLINO, Maria Grazia
2013

Abstract

Findings of an excavation are often incomprehensible, some sparse evidence of different contexts that follow each other in a very long period of time. The simple storage of these fragments in 'archaeological fences' is often an useless operation, because these findings require a previous decoding to restore their meaning and their documentary and figurative evidence. The fragmentary nature of an ancient architecture, requires a particular historiographical approach, a further assessment about the cultural function of the unearthed relics, especially in the case of an urban excavation. City is the place and the result of several diachronies that the archaeological 'emptiness' may irreparably distrupts it, without being able to reveal the meaning of this apparent chaos that suddenly revealed from the underground. Central point of this reflection is the necessity to define, in a shared way, an idea of space that is generated by the relationship between the excavation and the urban structure which participates in that imagine, changing the identity both in its internal spatial relations and in the surrounding context. Today, the relationship with the latter, is absolutely central to his interpretation and enhancement. This theme provides more points for reflection and undermines many choices in sites. Sometimes, the necessity for the protection, if detached by careful reflection on the meaning of emergency excavation, contributes to a real 'alienation' of the same. The ‘archaeological fences’, with their various heights, contribute to make obscure and marginal a heritage that should be shared, jeopardizing the conservation of the same places. The excessive ‘monumentalization’ of ruins has often led to a clear separation between ancient and modern city, denying any different relationship from the 'veneration'. Urban archeology is once again the critical point, the most sensitive area of confrontation between contemporary and archaeological ruins. However, it does not need a project that rests respectfully beyond the edge of the archaeological remains to solve the problem of 'staying in touch' with history. Breaking the splendid isolation of the ruins and restoring their identity, is the purpose that a correct evaluation should be aimed to; the key role in this research is carried out by the so-called 'border areas', the edge created between the excavation and the urban environment. Physical boundary of the investigation area, metaphorical filter between a past, which is sometimes crystallized and often incomprehensible, and a present that pushes with its many needs, a line of demarcation among the different spatio-temporal diachronies of the same place, and the limit of an excavation engraved into the fabric of living city will always involve a relationship with the surrounding reality, deeply pondered or completely disregarded. Through the analysis of some examples, in Rome and elsewhere, now and in the course of time, this paper aims to highlight the importance and the role of this boundary, so full of meaning, both in cases in which it was designed, or ignored, or reduced to a simple wire fence
2013
ci e problemi di metodo
restauro archeologico; conservazione; musealizzazione; rovine archeologiche
04 Pubblicazione in atti di convegno::04b Atto di convegno in volume
Riflessione sui margini delle aree archeologiche urbane / Ercolino, Maria Grazia. - STAMPA. - 1:(2013), pp. 87-98. (Intervento presentato al convegno ci e problemi di metodo tenutosi a Bressanone nel 9-12 luglio 2013).
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11573/525614
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