Il colombario di via Olevano Romano al III miglio della via Prenestina. Conoscenza per la conservazione

This contribution proposes part of the results of the research launched in 2017 on the columbarium located at the third mile of via Prenestina, at the corner with via Olevano Romano, in the southern area of the archaeological park of Villa Gordiani. The columbarium, found after the Second World War during the urban development of the district, immediately after the excavation was enclosed by a building without any architectural value, which, in addition to concealing the presence of the ancient structures, touches the park without being truly integrated. In this study, through the examination of the archival documents kept at the Sovrintendenza Capitolina ai Beni Culturali, the chronological sequence of the excavation and protection operations of the structures found is firstly reconstructed and then the difficult relationship that it is currently established between the monument and its urban context. Finally, on the basis of this analysis, it becomes possible to understand the columbarium according to its historical-morphological characteristics and its relationship with the park, recognizing the elements worthy of attention for the protection of the property and for the definition of possible enhancement projects.