Carsulae: Archaeological Excavation of the Public Baths
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Excavation of Public Baths in Carsulae
Project Scientific Director: Jane Whitehead
Project Architect: Max Cardillo
Conservation Consultant: Nikolas Vakalis
Carsulae was a medium-size city, built along the via Flaminia in the 2nd century BC as part of the Roman colonization of Umbria. The city was abandoned in the 3rd century AD probably due to seismic activity. As one of the principal archaeological sites in Umbria, Carsulae has been explored numerous times since the 18th century. The most important excavation, by Umberto Ciotti, took place between 1951 and 1972. After a hiatus of thirty years, a new campaign began with the excavation of the public bath area. It is directed by Prof. Jane Whitehead, with San Gemini Preservation Studies collaborating on various phases of the work and the sponsorship of Associazione Valorizzazione del Patrimonio Storico–Sangemini.
The excavations by Valdosta State University under the direction Prof. Jane Whitehead were started in 2005 and continued until 2016 when Prof. Whitehead retired. The work done in this period involved excavation, documentation, of the central section of the Public Baths. The excavation is now on a temporary pause while other work is proceeding. Presently SGPS is involved in conservation work, planning ways of presenting the site to the public, and doing various structural and architectonic studies of the ancient buildings.
Preliminary Publication of 2018 Work
1) Title
2) Introduction
3) Bath Excavation - Survey
4) Bath Complex - Wall Types 1
5) Bath Complex – Wall Types 2
6) Bath Complex – Reconstruction
7) Bath Excavation – Visitation Platform
8) Existing Archaeological Park – Carsulae
9) Proposed Visitor’s Paths
10) Master Plan: Via Flaminia – San Gemini / Acquasparta
Carsulae Protective Roof Structure Project
As part of the joint effort to conserve the excavation area of the baths, in 2012, the Associazione Valorizzazione del Patrimonio Storico–Sangemini, together with San Gemini Preservation Studies, designed, financed and built a 600 square meter steel roof structure to protect the central portion of the excavation site from the weather. This has been a very successful component in the effort to protect and conserve of the excavated site.
Carsulae Ceramics Conservation Project
In 2012 as part of the SGPS Course Restoration and Analysis of Archaeological Ceramics Pottery finds from the excavations at Carsulae were studied and restored in the course workshop.
