Fragments of Ara Pacis Augustae
Reconstruction, incorporating original fragments,
of a section of vegetal frieze and pilaster
Of the hundreds of small carved fragments uncovered when excavating the Ara Pacis, scholars have gradually sorted out and catalogued over 300 pieces judged to be part of the Ara Pacis itself. Some 125 of these are thought to be parts of the vegetal friezes on the surrounding precinct walls. It has been possible to identify the original location of about half of these. A reconstruction of a section of the south vegetal frieze and of a pilaster, at full scale, incorporating a few of these, has been created and is on display in the lower level of the Museo dell’Ara Pacis.
On display in the lower level of the Museo dell'Ara Pacis. A clear, detailed account of the excavation and scholalry study and reconstruction of fragments from the Ara Pacis is provided in the museum's impressive guidebook by Orietta Rossini, Ara Pacis, Comune di Roma (2006) pp. 93-99.
TO ZOOM IN ON THE LARGE IMAGES, USE THE BUTTONS AT TOP-LEFT.
Tips for using this website
Reconstruction of a section of the south side vegetal frieze, at full scale, showing location of original fragments. photo May 2010
|
Reconstruction of a section of the south side vegetal frieze, at full scale, showing location of original fragments. photo Oct. 2008 |
Detail of photos at left. photo Oct. 2008
|
Original fragment in photos above, showing quality of carving. photo Oct. 2008
|
Original fragment in photos above, showing quality of carving. photo Oct. 2008
|
Original fragments in photos above, showing quality of carving. photo Oct. 2008
|
Reconstruction at full scale of a section of a pilaster from the exterior of the surrounding precinct wall, showing location of original fragments. photo May 2010 |
Detail of reconstructed pilaster in photo at left. photo May 2010
|