Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1903-10-29
IN ROME.
What Has Been Uncovered by Arch
biologists in the Last Fiji
teen Years.

AS early as the autumn of 1898 atten-
ton had been directed to the various
fragments of al architectural character
which were scattered throughout the
Forum area without assignment to the
original structures, says Prof. Egbert in
the Forum. The minister of public in
struction appointed a commission con-
sisting of Sigs. Boni, Gatti and Lanciana
and Prof. Huelsen, whose duty it was to
undertake the restoration of those
monuments the relative completeness of
whose remains justified such an under
taking. This commission, fortunately
composed OF men of scholarly judgment,
determined upon a most thorough in
vestigation, resolving to make excava-
lions, if it was necessary, even to the
lowest stratum.
Little did these scholars realize the
results of this praiseworthy determine
ton. In November, 1898, two of THE colos-
sal pillars which had adorned the north
side OF the Sacra Via opposite the Ba-
silica Julia had been replaced on their
bases and the shrine at the entrance of
the House of the Vestals was restored.
What proved to be of greater Importance
was the digging of "tasti," or expert
mental trenches, in various parts of the
Forum. On January 10, 1899, the now
famous "lapis niger" was found, which
many at nee accepted as the stone ira
dition had described as marking the tomb
OF Romulus. This discovery was a great
incentive to further excavations. Money
was provided by the state and even pri-
Vate individuals contributed toward the
purchase of houses which blocked the
path of the e%xcavato~.
In the spring of l. } a shrine and stele
with archaic inscription were discovered
under the "lapis niger" and in the sum-
mer months the ascent of the Sacra Via,
that portion in front of the Basilica
or Constantine, and d part of the Basilica
Aemilia were cleared. Finally It was pro-
posed to yield to the archaeologists the
modern street, along which ran an cleo
trio tramway. In the enthusiasm of the
time this was done and excavations I'M
covered the area of the Comitium and the
western portion of the Basilica Aemilia.
The early months of 1900 witnessed the
purchase and demolition of the Church of
Santa Maria Liberatrice, which stood in
the way of archaeological progress on the
other side Of the Forum. There is the
shrine of Juturna and the Basilica of
Santa Maria Antigua of the eighth cen-
fury of our era were brought into view.
In the fall Of 1900 and in the spring Of
1901 excavations were made at the rear
OF the Temple Of Castor, near the Rostra
and the House of the Vestals, and in the
latter part Of 1901 "tasti" were dug in the
Sacra Via from the Arch of Titus to the
entrance of the Palace of the Caesars.
In 1902, near the Church of IS. Cessna
and Damiano, remains of private houses
OF republican days and neal the south
east corner of the Temple of Faustina
graves of a very archaic period were
found. The Temple of Divus Augustus, to
the south of the Temple of Castor, re-
ceived considerable attention during last
year and is even now in the hands of the
e~xcavators. This. is a summary of the
operations of the last five years.