Abstract:

Since 2017 within the framework of two research project about the exploitation and uses of Limestone and Conglomerate from, we have carried out a thorough examination of a large assemblage of marbles, lime stones and other decorative stones from stratigraphic contexts of the Roman city of Pompelo (Pamplona, Spain). Thus, almost 300 fragments of marmora from urban archaeological excavations undertaken in modern Pamplona from 2004 to 2009 by Gabinete Trama SL, has been studied. All these marmora fragments come from the Forum (Navarrería and S. Fermín de Al dapa squares) and the public baths known as the Forum Baths (Curia and Compañía streets). The macroscopic analysis led to the identification of not only marmora from the main Mediterranean quarries (portasanta, pavonazzetto, brecha de Skyros) but mainly also from Pyrenean (Saint-Béat and Campan) and hispanic quarries (Broccatello). These marmora were mainly used for revestment purposes (slabs and crustae) but we have also identified some capitals and sculptural fragments made of white marble. Even if preliminary, this study confirms the importance of Pompelo within the Hispanic map of the use of marmora in Roman times (from the Flavian era to the 3rd c. AD) and how this northern city was included in the distribution strategies of the main decorative stones both in a provincial and transprovincial level, as well as in an imperial-wide level.