The Roman baths of Cugno dei Vagni: Methods of Intervention in the Archaeological Areas

Abstract

The paper presents a method for the enhancement of archaeological sites, through a comprehensive approach to architecture, from his historical knowledge until the intervention on the ancient remains, with attention to the relationship with the surrounding area. In fact, the restoration project cannot be understood as an act aimed solely to the protection of archaeological sites, but also as an intervention that is necessarily extended to the context. Is thus generated a complex process, aimed at the recreation of a place in which archeology and landscape may contribute to the discovery of a historical identity of the community. The study-case is the archaeological site of Cugno dei Vagni, located in the south of Italy, in Metapontine area; the archaeological remains belong to a Roman thermal baths, dated to a period between the beginning of the imperial age up to Severi. The visible ruins include frigidarium, tepidarium, caldarium, preceded by a discovered notation. The necessary water supply facility was secured by a system of canals, located upstream of the complex. The restoration project work at different scales of design and is divided into several phases of implementation. At the architectural scale, operates primarily on the safety of the archaeological remains, through interventions for the protection of the walls and the floor surface. Secondly, it aims to enhance the remains and to improve their readability, through the raising of the walls with the technique of pisè , the construction of walkways and pedestrian paths; the creation of a new decking in the frigidarium , with a reproduction of the original mosaic floor. At regional scale, the project proposes the inclusion of the site in the complex of an archaeological park of Metapontine area, through the realization of paths and information areas.