In Medio Aedium: An Archaeological Analysis of the Great Room of Insula VIII.7.9-11 in Pompeii
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Authors
Ford, Kaitlin J.
Issue Date
2008
Type
Thesis
Language
en_US
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
My study of the great room of Insula VIII.7.9-11 and its women's adornment assemblage has provided plausible evidence for the presence of women throughout the multifunctional rooms of a prosperous early imperial apartment. However, I believe there is more to be found through further excavation of this insula. An Allison or Berry-style study of its household artifacts, with careful recording and analysis of their exact placement could benefit us with a greater understanding of life in Roman insulae. Thorough excavation of Insula VIII.7.9-11 's two anterior grand and public rooms, its hallway suite, and courtyard could uncover additional small artifact assemblages associated with female activities such as a female-centered bedroom.
Paying special attention to the location of small finds during further excavation of the two public and grand rooms in the front of the apartment could help establish their function. Were they used during the day by the patronus, like the atria and tablina of Pompeian private houses? In addition, further excavation in the hallway bedroom could identify the gender of its inhabitant. Due to its proximity to the great room, with its collection of women's adornment items, it would be interesting to begin an in-depth study of the nearest known bedroom in a search for additional women's items. If it contained a significant collection of women's objects, it could represent a unique example of a woman's quarters in an upscale apartment. Lastly, I would recommend further excavation of the apartment's courtyard. Its size, private nature, proximity to the great room, and resemblance to peristyle gardens of Pompei an domus suggest it would have been a location that women of the household frequented. Artifact assemblages from all of these rooms could provide additional conclusive evidence for the gender-inclusive multifunctionality of the entire apartment.
Description
82 p.
Citation
Publisher
Kalamazoo, Mich. : Kalamazoo College
License
U.S. copyright laws protect this material. Commercial use or distribution of this material is not permitted without prior written permission of the copyright holder. All rights reserved.