The hydraulic mortars on the Palatine in Rome. An interdisciplinary research project

• Applicant: Dr. Andrea Schmölder-Veit
• Subject Area: Classical, Roman, Christian and Islamic Archaeology
• Term: from 2013 to 2015
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 231043333

In the last years several investigations were carried out on mortars from the early Roman Empire and the first cent. A.D., while comparable research for the second cent. A.D. is rare. The aim of the submitted project is to fulfill this desideratum for hydraulic mortars. The proposer is, for this purpose, in the possession of the substantial sample material. It was collected during a former research project, now successfully accomplished, and comprehends 35 mortar samples from six complexes for water in the Stadium and the Domus Severiana. The complexes comprise mostly monumental nymphaea. These ornamental architectures are important facilities of the courts and can be found in nearly every part of the palace. The samples originate from relevant mortar layers, assigned to the installation and specific modifications of the nymphaea. The research project has two key aspects:1. Several analytical methods are combined to attain as much information as possible on the consistence of the mortars, such as the influence of the individual components on function and quality. From an archaeological point of view the correct identification of the puzzolane that imparted the caementum to its hydraulic qualities is very interesting. The expected results will help to ascertain, which established technology was applied for the hydraulic mortars on the Palatine or if new techniques had been developed. 2. The analysis of the samples will also result in classifying mortars of the same consistence into groups. This constitutes an important requirement for dating the mortars. The individual groups will be put into context with the results of the archaeological investigations. It is the aim of to achieve a relative chronology for the mortar groups and to gain reference points for an absolute dating. For the first time it is expected that the installations and the modifications of the nymphaea in the Stadium can be dated. This new knowledge could facilitate a very important achievement for a profounder archaeological exploration of the palaces on the Palatine. In else the dating of the caementa plays an important role in the development of roman mortar techniques, especially of those monuments erected by order of the Caesars. The requested research project is the first interdisciplinary venture of this kind and will provide an essential progress in the investigation of ancient hydraulic mortars. The complex problems will be worked out in close collaboration with scientists from classical archaeology, restoration and geology.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants