LO SCAVO DELLA CHIESA DI SANTA MARIA MAGGIORE A TRENTO

The excavation carried out in the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore in Trent has brought to light a great deal of archaeological evidence related to the events that took place in the area, which, since the foundation of the munipium, has always had a public function. Four sacred buildings, preceding the Counciliar Church, and a public space, all with different functions and datable between the 1st and the 4-5th centuries, have come to light. Beginning with the first one, datable to the 5th century, the sacred buildings were alternatively contracted and enlarged. During the Imperial and the Late Antique Age, however, the public function changed: from a bath complex it turned into became an open paved area. The archaeological documentation has made exclusive use of digital support. From the web-site (www.santamariamaggiore.trento.it) it is possible to enter the Bardypus on-line database, in which the records of the stratigraphic units and materials were inserted while the excavation was being carried out. This was a unique and unrepeatable experience that lead us to reflect upon the layout and urban transformations of the Roman city, the genesis of the Medieval and Renaissance city and its sacred spaces throughout the continuity of occupation of the site, which even in the present-day city context reveals itself as being a nodal point.