Abstract:

The Roman villa of Rufio, built on the Augustan period, was occupied until the end of the 1st-beginning of 2nd century AD. This paper addresses one of the most fundamental, yet frequently almost invisible, part of the architectural forms of this complex, its structures erected with earth. Their study allows to interpret that they would have been rammed earth walls. This building technique can be difficult to identify in archaeological contexts and is not among the most highlighted in Roman architecture. Even though, it is known to have been applied throughout the Empire and also in different sites of the Italian Peninsula. The characteristics shown by the architectural remains of this villa during its excavation can be linked with seismic activity, being in a territory of high seismic risk where earthen architecture, together with other building elements, could have played a role in this during Roman times. The use of massive earth walls, the adoption of other building techniques and elements and a series of damages, displacements and deformations can be interpreted in a sequence of building phases, possibly motivated by different seismic events.