VIII.2.1 Pompeii. Casa di Championnet I.

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Lower Level 1, Rear Area

VIII.2.1 Pompeii. Plan of lower level 1.

See Zanella S., 2019. La caccia fu buona: Pour une histoire des fouilles à Pompéi de Titus à l’Europe. Naples : Centre Jean Bérard, Planche II (pt).

VIII.2.1 Pompeii. May 2018.

Lower level 1. Looking south along corridor 38, also known as corridor (α). Photo courtesy of Buzz Ferebee.

VIII.2.1 Pompeii. December 2005. Looking from south portico to lower floors which would have been under the terrace. 

This photo is looking down onto the large triclinium, room 36 or “J” which would have had a panoramic view to the south, the east wall is on the left.

According to PPM –

This room would have had walls painted in the IV Style with a decorative scheme with partitions, not reconstructable as the plaster had fallen:

the white background was also taken up into the vault, where some traces of squares with large rectangles remain.

See Carratelli, G. P., 1990-2003. Pompei: Pitture e Mosaici. VIII (8) Roma: Istituto della enciclopedia italiana, (p.55, no.53).

According to Zanella (from « Extrait des journaux de fouille de Pompei, entre Janvier 1936 et Avril 1941 » - (ASP, GDS A VI 8) (p.120) –

(p.240)

26/11/1936 –

This morning, the excavation of the buildings constructed to the south of the casa di Championnet had begun by transporting materials with the small railway at a distance of 20m.

The area had been unexplored since the time of the excavations and in the following years the pile had increased with the dumping of other materials. At present three large brick pillars emerge (pillars between rooms 35-36 and the collapsed terrace 39 of the House of Championnet I, pl.II), the top of a perimeter wall and the outer curve of the large barrel vault.

From other emerging walls there are two rooms (VIII.2.1-2, rooms 35-36) with access doorway to the south.

(Stamani si era iniziato il disterro delle costruzioni a sud della casa di Championnet eseguendo il trasporto di materiali con la decauville alla distanza di 20m.

La zona era stata inesplorata fin dall’epoca dello scavo e negli anni successivi il cumulo era aumentato con lo scarico di altri materiali. Allo stato attuale affiorano tre grandi pilastri di mattoni (piliers entre les pieces 35-36 et la terrasse ecroulee 39 de la casa di Championnet I, VIII.2.1-2, pl.II), la sommita di un muro perimetrale e l’estradosso della grande volta a botte.

Da altri muri emergenti si delineano due ambienti (VIII.2.1-2, pieces 35-36) con vano di accesso a sud.)

(p.240-1)

27/11/1936 –

The work of clearing proceeds with two arms of track that gradually extend inside the rooms through the large doorways. 

The first material that has been found are significantly damaged by the collapse of the heavy vaults; beyond the doorways there is a pile of rubble and demolished wall blocks of which all the usable material has been recovered.

In the room to the west (VIII.2.1-2, room 36) emerges among the earth a part of the collapsed barrel vault of the thickness of 0.70m; on the extrados of it were collected the remains of the mosaic floor of black and white tiles belonging to the room above.

(Il lavoro di sterro procede con due bracci di binario che gradualmentesi prolungano all’interno degli ambienti attraverso gli ampi vani. Le prime fabbriche che si vanno isolando si presentano notevolmente danneggiate dal crollo delle pesanti volte; oltre i vani si incontra un ammasso di macerie e blocchi murari abbattuti di cui si recupera tutto il materiale utilizzabile.

Nell’ambiente ad occidente (VIII.2.1-2, piece 36) affiora tra le terre una parte di volta a botte crollata dello spessore di 0.70m; sull’estradosso di essa si sono raccolti i resti del pavimento a mosaico di tessere bianche e nere dell’ambiente sovrastante.)

(p.247)

19/12/1936 –

Proceeding in the work of arrangement and rectification of the external part of the building of Championnet, the Superintendent had also ordered the excavation of a large room (VIII.2.1-2, room 36), already discovered to the west of the rooms being excavated and linking with them. The workforce is waiting from today for the clearing of a pile of waste materials that had again buried that room, in which the decoration of the east wall and the beginning of the vault remains.

(Procedendosi nel lavoro di sistemazione e di rettifica della parte esterna dell’edificio di Championnet, era stato disposto dal Sig. Soprintendente anche lo scavamento di un grande salone (VIII.2.1-2, room 36), gia scoperto ad occidente degli ambienti in corso di scavo, e con questi comunicante. La maestranza attende da oggi allo sgombro di un cumulo di materiali di scarico che avevano nuovamente seppellito detto salone, di cui avanza la decorazione della parete orientale e lo inizio della volta.)

(p. 247)

21/12/1936 –

This morning, with the normal workplan, the clearing of the waste materials had been resumed in the large room (VIII.2.1-2, room 36), already discovered south of the peristyle of the House of Championnet.

(Stamane, con la normale prestazione d’opera, era stato ripreso lo sgombro dei materiali di scarico nel grande salone (VIII.2.1-2, room 36), gia scoperto a sud del peristilio della casa di Championnet.)

(p.247-8)

23/12/1936

The cleaning of the first large room to the west (room J – room 36) has been completed, bringing back into the light the remains of a magnificent geometric tessellated pavement that divides the floor into two schemes, the central panel has been missing since the time of the old excavation.  The surviving parts were immediately secured with a cement collar and covered with sand to protect them from frosts.

(Era stato ultimato il ripulimento del primo grande ambiente ad occidente (room J – piece 36) restituendo alla luce l’avanzo di un magnifico tessellato geometrico che divide il pavimento in due schemi, manca il riquadro centrale fin dall’epoca del vecchio scavo.  Le parti superstiti sono state subito assicurate con solini di cemento e ricoperto di sabbia per proteggerli dai geli.)

See Zanella S., 2019. La caccia fu buona: Pour une histoire des fouilles à Pompéi de Titus à l’Europe. Naples : Centre Jean Bérard, p. 240-1, p. 247-8.

VIII.2.1 Pompeii. April 2011. Looking east from lower rooms in VIII.2.A, on west side of VIII.2.1.

Looking east across Lower level 1, from area of room C, on west side of large triclinium A.

Large triclinium A has a window in its north wall looking into cubiculum B, on left. Also on the left is a doorway from room B, into room C.

In room C, lower left of centre of photo, is a blocked doorway from room A, above which are the remains of decoration with a white background, and a stucco cornice that signalled the start of the vault.

In the centre of the photo, is triclinium 36 or “J”, east of that are the remains of the vaulted ceiling of the large triclinium in VIII.2.3/VIII.2.16.

In the upper right of the photo are the rooms belonging to the rear rooms of VIII.2.14-16.  Photo courtesy of Sandra Zanella.

VIII.2.1 Pompeii. 1937 plan of Lower level 1, showing discovery locations of heads of Marcellus and a child.

After AS-MANN, II Inv. 142 f. 16 D2.

See Zanella S., 2019. La caccia fu buona: Pour une histoire des fouilles à Pompéi de Titus à l’Europe. Naples : Centre Jean Bérard, p. 263, fig. 153.

On display in Championnet complex Pompeii. April 2019.

Marble head found 4^th February 1937. Photo courtesy of Rick Bauer.

(p.265)

4/2/1937 -

The excavation work was carried out with special caution in the limited free surface in front of the south-facing doorways of rooms A and B.

Having completed the graphic drawings of the various imprints of furnishings described above, the following objects were found -

Bronze:...... Bone:...... Terracotta:...... Lead:...... (see page 265 in Zanella........).

The Vitiello company proceeding the excavation work in depth along the southern side of the lower floor of the district called Championnet, near the brick pillar of a room (see plan, fig. 153 above), found: marble: front part with the neck and face of a figure of a young eighteen-year-old man with an oval and bare face,  the narrow nose with the root slightly arched and elongated, rather thin lips and wide mouth, regular eyes, protruding Adam's apple, hairstyle of the hair of the Augustan age, prominent ears from the head. The head was recessed into the hood by the mantle of which it was covered. No trace of polychrome. Height: 0.35m (inv. Pompeii 6317). Technique and work similar to the Livia of the Villa of the Mysteries.

(I lavori di scavo sono stati condotti con speciale cautela nella limitata superficie libera antistante ai vani rivolti a sud degli ambienti A e B.

Essendosi ultimato il rilieva grafico delle varie impronte di suppellettili innanzi descritte, si era proceduto alla raccolta dei seguenti oggetti –

Bronzo:...... Ossa: ......... Terracotta:....... Piombo: ....... (see page 265 in Zanella........).

L’impresa Vitiello Pietro, procedendo i lavori di scavo in profondità lungo il fianco meridionale del piano inferiore del quartiere detto di Championnet, presso il pilastro di mattoni di un vano (vedi pianta annessa, fig. 153) ha rinvenuta: marmo: parte anteriore col collo e col viso di una figura di giovanetto diciottenne dal viso ovale e scarno, il naso stretto alla radice leggermente arcuato ed allungato, labbra piuttosto sottili e bocca larga, occhi regolari, pomo di Adamo sporgente, acconciatura dei capelli dell'età Augustea, orecchie dal padiglione staccato dalla testa. La testa si trova incassata nel cappuccio dal manto del quale era coperto. Nessuna traccia di policromia. Alt. 0.35m (inv. Pompei 6317). Tecnica e lavorazione analoga alla Livia della Villa dei Misteri.)

See Zanella S., 2019. La caccia fu buona: Pour une histoire des fouilles à Pompéi de Titus à l’Europe. Naples : Centre Jean Bérard, p. 265, fig. 153.

On display in Championnet complex Pompeii. May 2018.

Marble head of a child, side view, found 9^th February 1937. Photo courtesy of Buzz Ferebee.

(p.268)

9/2/1937 –

In the excavation conducted by the Vitiello company, near to another brick pillar of the lower floor towards the west, the following marble figure of great importance had been found: white Parian marble (?): head of a child of the apparent age of six or seven years, broken at the attachment of the neck, fragmentary of the entire left ear, of part of the right ear and of the tip of the nose, some abrasion on the cheeks. No trace of polychrome. The head was presumably a portrait of an imperial prince of the family of Augustus. Height 0.175m (Pompeii inv. No. 6334)

(Nello scavo che conduce l’impresa Vitiello, presso un altro pilastro di mattoni del piano inferiore verso occidente si era rinvenuta la seguente figura di marmo di grande importanza: marmo bianco pario (?): testina di fanciullo dell’apparente età di sei o sette anni spezzata all’attacco del collo, frammentario di tutto il padiglione dell’orecchio sinistro, di parte dell’orecchio destro e della punta del naso, qualche abrasione sulle guance. Nessuna traccia di policromia. La testina era presumibilmente il ritratto di un principe imperiale della famiglia di Augusto.  Alt. 0.175m (Pompeii inv. No. 6334)).

See Zanella S., 2019. La caccia fu buona: Pour une histoire des fouilles à Pompéi de Titus à l’Europe. Naples : Centre Jean Bérard, p. 268.

On display in Championnet complex Pompeii. May 2018.

Marble head of a child, front view, found 9th February 1937. Photo courtesy of Buzz Ferebee.

VIII.2.1 Pompeii. 2018. On display in Championnet complex Pompeii.

Marble head of a child, found 9th February 1937. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

Rear of VIII.2.1 Pompeii. April 2009.

Looking west from area on Lower level 1 with oven, on right, rear rooms and area of collapsed terrace 39. Photo courtesy of Sandra Zanella.

VIII.2.1 Pompeii. 2016/2017. Lower rear floors, behind conifer on left. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

VIII.2.1 and 3 Pompeii. May 2015.

Looking north-east towards rear of Houses of Championnet I, and II (behind central tree). Photo courtesy of Buzz Ferebee.

VIII.2.1 Pompeii. May 2010. Looking towards rear rooms and the city walls. Photo courtesy of Ivo van der Graaff.

Rear of VIII.2.1 Pompeii. May 2006. Looking north along west perimeter wall of Casa di Championnet I, on top left of photo.

On the top left, the area of rooms A and C on the Lower level 1 of VIII.2.A, can be seen.

At the top, in the centre, is the rear of the peristyle area.

In the centre of the photo, beneath the peristyle, Room 36, or J on Lower level 1 can be seen.

Right of centre, is area 35 with the oven, also on Lower level 1.

Below the oven is a doorway belonging to the Lower level 2.

The large arched doorway belongs to the Lower level 3, the baths area.

Rear of VIII.2.1 Pompeii. Old undated photograph. Looking north towards rear of Casa di Championnet I.

The house was built over and out from the old city wall, which can be seen in this photograph.

Room 36, (or J,) and area 35 with the oven, are on the Lower level 1, top of photo.

Below that are the rooms numbered 40-43, of Lower level 2.

Below that, not entirely excavated, are the arched doorways of the baths’ area, on Lower level 3.

Rear of VIII.2.1 Pompeii. April 2011. Looking north towards rear of Casa di Championnet I. Photo courtesy of Sandra Zanella.

Rear of VIII.2.1 Pompeii. May 2006. Looking north towards rear of Casa di Championnet I.

This can be seen on the left between the dark conifer and the tree in the centre of the photo.

The south portico would have been on the present top (ground or street) level, beneath it is room 35 with a vaulted ceiling, and an oven.

Rear of VIII.2.1 Pompeii. March 2009.

Looking north towards room 35 with a vaulted ceiling and an oven, on Lower level 1 below the south portico seen on the present top level.

Photo courtesy of Sandra Zanella.

VIII.2.1 Pompeii.  1937 plan of Lower level 1, rooms discovered between the end of 1936 and April 1937.

After AS-MANN, II Inv. b.142 f.18.

See Zanella S., 2019. La caccia fu buona: Pour une histoire des fouilles à Pompéi de Titus à l’Europe. Naples : Centre Jean Bérard, p. 252, fig. 143.

(P.257)

27/1/1937 –

………………….. With another hoe, the excavation of the room A" (VIII.2.1-2, room 33) and the free area surrounding the oven is being completed, noting with particular interest that the construction (of the oven) rests on the eruptive layers of 79AD at 0.65m from the mosaic floor of the original environment A. (see fig. 142 and fig.119).

(Con un’altra zappa si va completando lo scavo dello stanzino A” (VIII.2.1-2, pièce 33) e dell’area libera circostante al forno, rilevandosi con particolare interesse che la costruzione poggia suglia strati eruttivi del 79 a metri 0.65 dal pavimento a mosaico dell’ambiente originario A. (Ved fig. 142 and fig.119).)

(p.260)

1/2/1937 –

On the first floor there was the discovery of a magnificent black and white tessellated floor with a geometric pattern for the freed surface around the oven, whose rear construction covered about half of the floor

(Nel primo piano era incorso lo scoprimento di un magnifico tessellato bianco e nero a motivo geometrico per la superficie libera intorno al forno, la cui costruzione posteriore ha ricoperto circa la meta del pavimento.)

(p.261)

2/2/1937 –

In room A (VIII.2.1-2, room 35) the entire mosaic floor around the construction of the oven had been brought to light. The tiled flooring was in excellent condition and reproduced a geometric pattern of diamonds and squares alternating with black tiles on a white background.

(Nell’ambiente A (VIII.2.1-2, pièce 35) era stato messe in luce l’intero pavimento a mosaico intorno alla costruzione

del forno.  Il tessellato era in ottimo stato di conservazione e riproduce un schema geometrico di rombi e quadrati alternati a tessere nere su fondo bianco.)

See Zanella S., 2019. La caccia fu buona: Pour une histoire des fouilles à Pompéi de Titus à l’Europe. Naples : Centre Jean Bérard, pp. 257-261.

Rear of VIII.2.1 Pompeii. May 2006. Looking north towards area on west of Casa di Championnet I, known as VIII.2.A.

VIII.2.1 Pompeii. Plan of lower level 2.

See Zanella S., 2019. La caccia fu buona: Pour une histoire des fouilles à Pompéi de Titus à l’Europe. Naples : Centre Jean Bérard, Planche II.

Rear of VIII.2.1 Pompeii. May 2006. Looking north towards area on west of Casa di Championnet I, VIII.2.A.

In the centre, the area of the 2nd lower floor, rooms 54 – 58 and 60, would have been found.

VIII.2.1 Pompeii. Plan of lower level 3, baths area.

See Zanella S., 2019. La caccia fu buona: Pour une histoire des fouilles à Pompéi de Titus à l’Europe. Naples : Centre Jean Bérard, Planche II.

VIII.2.1 Pompeii. May 2010.

Looking east and down onto area of Lower level 3, baths area, top of an arched ceiling. Photo courtesy of Ivo van der Graaff.

Rear of VIII.2.1 Pompeii. May 2006. Looking north towards rear and lower rooms of Casa di Championnet I and II.

Top left of photo, Lower level 1, area 35 visible with oven,

Middle left of photo, Lower level 2, with doorway and steps,

Lower part of photo, three arched doorways on Lower level 3, baths area.

On the right of the photo is VIII.2.3, lower floors at rear of Casa di Championnet II.

(p.273)

16-17/3/1937 –

With every precaution the deep cut had been carried out without being able to reach the original floor at any point because of the considerable crushing suffered by the fabric due to the presence of an ancient drain leaning against the south-east corner. The excavation, while limiting itself to the half of the height of the floor, offered the possibility of being able to detect that the construction was in “opera incerta” of lava interspersed with brick pillars that formed the jambs.

The façade comprised of three doorways (VIII.2.1-2, rooms 47, 49 and 51-52) facing south from which the two side ones were surmounted by a large round arch built of tufa/tufelli symmetrically arranged in a radius (VIII.2.1-2, rooms 47 and 51-52).

The central doorway forming the remaining part, has suffered greater damage from the collapse; above the doorways there is a protruding (by m.0.35) drip stone, of which the remains are observed in situ. For a limited space the area was deepened in front of the two side compartments, noting that near the south-east corner the doorway to (VIII.2.1-2, rooms 51 and 52) was entirely walled-up by the ancients, while the other was accessible. The entire façade of the lower floor was 15m long (fig. 164).

(Con ogni precauzione era stato eseguito il taglio in profondità senza poter giungere in nessun punto al piano originario a cause del notevole schiacciamento subito dalla fabbrica per la presenza di un scarico antico addossato alla cantonata sud-est. Lo scavo, pur limitandosi alla meta dell’altezza del piano, ha offerto la possibilità di poter rilevare cha la costruzione era in opera incerta di lava intramezzata da pilastri di mattoni che formano stipiti.

La facciata comprende tre vani (VIII.2.1-2, rooms 47, 49 and 51-52) rivolti a sud da cui i due laterali sono sormontati da un grande arco a tutto sesto costruito di tufelli simmetricamente disposti a raggio (VIII.2.1-2, rooms 47 and 51-52).

Il vano centrale formante corpo avanzato, ha subito maggiore danno dal crollo; al disopra dei vani ricorre un gocciolatoio sporgente m.0.35, di cui si osservano gli avanzi in situ. Per un delimitato spazio si era approfondito il cavo davanti i due vani laterali, rilevandosi che presso la cantonata sud-est il vano (VIII.2.1-2, rooms 51 and 52) era interamente murato dagli antichi, mentre l’altro era accessibile. L’intero prospetto del piano inferiore era lungo 15m. (fig. 164).

See Zanella S., 2019. La caccia fu buona: Pour une histoire des fouilles à Pompéi de Titus à l’Europe. Naples : Centre Jean Bérard, p. 273 and fig. 164.

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