Archaeological Studies on a Bronze-casting Workshop in Gerasa (Jordan) in the Light of the Development of Metal Processing Technology during the Roman Impe-rial Era

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Gerhard Zimmer
• Subject Area: Classical, Roman, Christian and Islamic Archaeology
• Term: since 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 435345043

The French excavations on the plateau of the temple of Zeus in Gerasa , led by Jaques Seigne, have uncovered parts of a workshop for statuary bronze-casting. lts time of occupation lies in the middle of the second century and is to be seen in connection with the construction of the huge temple of Zeus. Remains of the smelting installations testify to a new technology, mould fragments point to the casting of larger-than-life statues. The centre of this workshop lay in the now submerged northern cryptoporticus, namely in its westernpart. lt is planned to uncover this porticus during two campaigns. The workshop is the first complex of this kind from Roman time that we know which is preserved in such detail. We know about the different works that took place in such a foundry and are therefore able tospecifically look for particular features. Since, due to our lang lasting research, we are well informed about the technology in Greek workshops from archaic time until late Hellenism , we can elaborate the differences in Roman technology on this basis. Thus the hitherto existing findings from Roman time are shown in a new light. This seems of particular importance since up to now the popular opinion is, that the Romans were not very innovative, especially concerning bronze art. In the search for changing parameters in the technology applied, the numeric calculation will play a role, as it already has been useful in recovering the Greek casting technique. The cooperation with casters, metallurgists and archaeometrists is already agreed on.Parallel to this the previously uncovered findings shall be newly evaluated. There is, for example, the question of how the ventilation of the reconstructed big casting moulds was accomplished. With the help of digitalized pictures of the casting mould fragments, suitable programs shall be used to try and make conclusions about the size of the cast statues and maybe to find hints on their looks. Since Roman statues of the 2nd century are strongly obligated to specific types, there is the chance for new insights. Jaques Seigne will introduce his results and the documentation of the previous excavation into the project as well as Thomas Weber will bring in his experience with the restauration work on the mould fragments. This project yields a big chance of gaining new insights in Roman bronze-casting technology in the east of the Roman Empire.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Jordan
• Cooperation Partner: Professor Dr. Thomas M. Weber