Restoration of the Theatre of Marcellus, almost one hundred years later

Abstract

The historic restoration of the Theatre of Marcellus, begun in 1926 and completed in the early 30s, fully reflects the debate on restoration that was underway in Italy on the eve of the Athens conference. In fact, the project addressed all the various themes of restoration, and not merely those specifically tied to the field of archaeology (excavation, consolidation, integration or replacement of missing portions), but also architectural considerations, such as stratifications and the surrounding environment. In the work of integration and consolidation, traditional techniques were used, employing the same materials as in ancient times, along with modern-day ones (reinforced concrete and steel), evaluating each situation as it arose, with the most effective solution determined through direct experimentation in the field.

Keywords

• Roman theater
• restoration
• conservation
• consolidation