Congress Papers by Josep Maria Macias Solé
Rueda, M., Járrega, R. (eds), Dolia ex Hispania: els dolia a les províncies d’Hispania en época romana. Estat de la qüestió i perspectives (2022),, 2024
Called dolium/a by the Ceremology research, due to the conservation of features resembling the we... more Called dolium/a by the Ceremology research, due to the conservation of features resembling the well-known Republican and Imperial vessels, these smaller size containers were also used for food storage and for the daily life of the Visigothic society. We suggest a new quantitative and qualitative approach to the more significant features, observed in the Visigothic town of Tarracona, a diachronic vision which stresses the morphologic evolution and the capacity estimation. This analysis intends to be another way of approaching the new practices and uses of the domestic spaces.
Architectural Draughtsmanship. From Analog to Digital Narratives, 2018
In the monumental complex of the Amphitheatre of Tarragona we encounter the confluence of two sin... more In the monumental complex of the Amphitheatre of Tarragona we encounter the confluence of two singularities. On one hand, over the past five centuries, the amphitheatre has suffered a series of profound architectural changes. On the other hand, we have been fortunate that many of these transformations have been documented by means of drawings, engravings, plan surveys and, since the early 20th century, by photographs. Graphic reproduction of Tarragona’s Amphitheatre is interesting in itself if we take into account the evolution of drawing techniques. The objectives of these graphic reproductions were the manifestation of the obsessions of different periods.
Architectural Draughtsmanship. From Analog to Digital Narratives, 2018
Architectural Drawing and Architectural Graphic Expression (EGA) are well defined and known disci... more Architectural Drawing and Architectural Graphic Expression (EGA) are well defined and known disciplines. But there are forms of architectural expression (such as photography or diagrams), which are not necessarily “drawings”. In the last three decades, digital technology has offered architecture multiple forms of expression (digital photography, vector models, CAD), and has proposed multiple forms of structuring and organizing data (data modeling techniques, associative data models, database systems, etc.). The arrival of these data technologies to graphic expression requires the need to look at architecture from the point of view of data.
Producciones Locales e Importaciones (s. VI - VII) en el recinto fortificado visigodo de València la Vella (Riba-roja de Túria)
Caminneci, V., Giannitrapani, E., Parello, M. C., Serena, M. (eds), 6th International Conference on Late Roman Coarse Wares and Amphorae in the Mediterranean: Archaeology and Archaeometry. Land and Sea. Pottery Routes (Agrigento, 2017), 2023
We present two small ceramic contexts recovered in the fortified enclosure “València la Vella”, i... more We present two small ceramic contexts recovered in the fortified enclosure “València la Vella”, inside the territory of the city of Valentia. The study provides evidence for the continuity of commercial relations in a fortified nucleus located 20 km from the Mediterranean coast.
Tarracona: Pottery and trade in the 7th and 8th centuries
Caminneci, V., Giannitrapani, E., Parello, M. C., Serena, M. (eds), 6th International Conference on Late Roman Coarse Wares and Amphorae in the Mediterranean: Archaeology and Archaeometry. Land and Sea. Pottery Routes (Agrigento, 2017), 2023
The study of new 7th and early 8th century pottery contexts in the port area of Tarragona has all... more The study of new 7th and early 8th century pottery contexts in the port area of Tarragona has allowed us to update our archaeological knowledge of the trading networks involving this Hispanic Mediterranean town in the late Visigothic period. The results show that the Tarraconensian port was connected by sea with the main focal points and distributions routes for food supplies and consumer items in North Africa and the Near East.
Baldini, I., Sfameni, C. (eds), III Convegno Internazionale del Cisem , 2021
The site of El Bovalar is one of the best exponents of the settlement pattern in the Northeastern... more The site of El Bovalar is one of the best exponents of the settlement pattern in the Northeastern Hispania during the Visigoth period. The complex, comprising a basilica, a necropolis and a residential area, has been excavated during the second half of the 20th century and the documentation of the archaeological record presents severe problems. There is a debate about its possible interpretation as either a monastery or a village. The work we present here focuses on the architectural analysis of the residential area in order to obtain more arguments for the debate. This approach also allows us to offer a clearer image of the daily life in a rural settlement from the 6th-8th centuries.
Doménech, C., Gutiérrez, S. (eds), El sitio de las cosas. La Alta Edad Media en contexto, Serie Arqueología, Publicacions Universitat d’Alacant, 2020
Mateos, P., Morán, C.J. (eds.), Exemplum et Spolia. La reutilización arquitectónica en la transformación del paisaje urbano de las ciudades históricas, MYTRA 7, vol I, 2020
An intense constructive activity was developed in certain places and times in Valentia and around... more An intense constructive activity was developed in certain places and times in Valentia and around between the 6th and 8th centuries. The construction of the monumental episcopal center in the first half of the 6th century changed the urban landscape around the Roman Forum. The new buildings (cathedral, baptistery, mausoleum and others) continuously and selectively used a large number of Roman elements. On the one hand these spolia were part of the entire parament (baptisterium). On the other hand, they were concentrated in certain points of the structure (mausoleum, cathedral). The use of new stone is also noted.
The Circus arena was urbanized from the second half of the 6th century until the middle of the 7th. These findings are small excavations. There are a lot of walls but they do not allow to identify any building. Anyway, they attest the continuity in the reuse of Roman materials. This area had less entity than the Episcopal area. In both cases, the supply of the reused material would be from the remains of the old Roman town.
Valencia la Vella, a new and very important fortified settlement of 5 hectares, emerged at the end of the 6th century. The site is 16 km away from Valentia on the Turia river. This new city was made ex novo, so it was necessary a great building effort. The reused Roman stones are not lacking, but, in this case, the origin of this material was foreign. Edeta, a Roman municipality abandoned in the 5th century would be the most likely quarry to build the new site. The stones would must be moved from 12 km., although the transport would be facilitated by the nearby Turia river.
Valencia la Vella was abandoned in the late 7th or early 8th centuries. Contemporarily another important power center was created in Pla de Nadal, about 2 km. from Valencia la Vella. Probably the recently disappeared site would be used as a quarry.
Noguera, J. M., García-Entero, V., Pavía, M. (coords.), Termas Públicas de Hispania. SPAL Monografías Arqueología 33, 2020
The thermal architecture of Tarraco, the capital of the provincia Hispania citerior, experienced ... more The thermal architecture of Tarraco, the capital of the provincia Hispania citerior, experienced an intense activity between the 1st and 7th centuries. This document defends the existence of a minimum of three public thermae and more than fifteen private balnea. These data, pending a detailed study, reflects the social acceptance of thermal practices, linked both port activity and monumental city.
Mateos, P., Palma, F. (eds.) La Arqueología Urbana en las ciudades de la Hispania Romana. Proyectos integrales de investigación, conservación y difusión., 2020
We present a critical review of the development of urban archaeology in the Roman circus of Tarra... more We present a critical review of the development of urban archaeology in the Roman circus of Tarragona, a 4 hectares area in the historic center of the city that preserves many remains from different periods. The absence of a permanent coordinating institution has led to the development of different models of intervention with unequal results. An overall analysis can establish a unsatisfactory assessment and, faced with this situation, urban archaeology should claim and position itself with the changes of priorities in the management of the Historical Heritage.
Revista de Cirurgia Ortopèdica i Traumatologia Òrgan Oficial de la Societat Catalana de Cirurgia Ortopèdica i Traumatologia, 2020
II congrés d’arqueologia medieval i moderna de Catalunya. Sant Cugat del Vallès 18-21 d’abril de 2002. Actes. Barcelona, Acram 2003, vol I, p. 121-128., 2003
Actas del IV Curso de Cultura medieval. Seminario: la fortificación medieval en la Península Ibérica. (Aguilar de Campóo 1992), Aguilar de Campóo, Fundación de Santa María la Real, 2002, pp. 339-350., 2002
rragona)".
MENCHÓN, J., MACIAS, REMOLÀ, J.A., BENET, C., FÀBREGA, X., BERMÚDEZ, A.: “El circ romà de Tarragona. Intervencions dels anys 1990-1992" La ciutat en el món romà, Actes del XIVè Congrés Internacional d’Arqueologia Clàssica de Tarragona (1993), vol. 2, Tarragona 1994, 275-277., 1994
Taula rodona. Ceràmica medieval catalana. [Barcelona, Servei de Patrimoni Arquitecònic Local, 15-16 de novembre de 1994} "Quaderns Científics i Tècnics" núm. 9, Barcelona 1997, pp. 71-88. , 1997
A la ciutat de Tarragona i en el decurs dels darrers anys, la millora qualitativa dels treballs d... more A la ciutat de Tarragona i en el decurs dels darrers anys, la millora qualitativa dels treballs de documentació arqueològica i un interès creixent per altres èpoques que no fossin l'etapa clàssica, han provocat Ia constatació d'¡nteressants conjunts ceràmics medievals. El present article se centrarà exclusivament en la ceràmica comuna d'aquesta època documentada en diferents intervencions de la ciutat, sense tenir en compte les produccions de coberta estannífera decorades, les quals reflecteixen una problemàtica ceramològica diferent i prou interessant per ser objecte d'una altra publicació. Aquest treball es tracta d'una aportació merament morfològica i evolutiva dels diversos vasos que constituirien, principalment, els serveis de cuìna i d'emmagatzemament al detall. Ouant a la seva procedència geogràfica, el plantejament de base és que aquestes produccions són efectuades en tallers locals i/o del seu entorn geogràfic immediat, el Camp de Tarragona. Evidentment, només una caracterització arqueomètrica podria aportar més dades sobre aquest aspecte. Cronològicament, els conjunts exposats se situen en els segles Xlll i XlV. Els conjunts ceràmics emprats per nosaltres s'obtingueren en diferents excavacions arqueològiques d'urgència desenvolupades a I'actual casc antic de Tarragona,l els resultats d'algunes de les quals ja han estat publicats.2 La intervenció més antiga s'efectuà als anys 1 984 i 1 986 a I'actual seu de la delegació del Col.legi d'Arquitectes de Catalunya. En aquest indret es recuperà un complet lot d'olles de ceràmica comuna reduTda datat durant la 0 20 40m 6 71
Atti del II Convegno Internazionale del Centro Inteeruniveersitario di Studi sull’Edilizia abitativa tardoantica nel Mediterraneo (CISEM),, 2018
The article offers an overall analysis of changes undertaken in Hispanic architectural culture be... more The article offers an overall analysis of changes undertaken in Hispanic architectural culture between 6th-7th century. This process was consequence of social and political transformations of Late Antiquity, and its architecture shows us a diversified reality, where several types of constructions and technical solutions reflect the variety of social and economic contexts. The architectonic analysis complement the study of late antique society, where we find from simple structures of wood to sumptuous palatial buidings. A new concept of domestic housing, for the majority of the population, and news types of court palace cleartly distinguish this historical period in comparison with Roman Empire.
Experimental Archaeology: from Research to Society. Proceedings of the Vth International Congress of Experimental Archaeology, 2018
En el marco del proyecto ARREL se ha experimentado con diversos sistemas de captura masiva de dat... more En el marco del proyecto ARREL se ha experimentado con diversos sistemas de captura masiva de datos con el objetivo de documentar el circo romano y su actual entorno urbano. Ello ha permitido construir el escenario de un serious game pero, al mismo tiempo ha representado una oportunidad para crear un portal público de consulta y visualización de la realidad ar¬quitectónica de este recinto histórico. Con ello se avanza en el desarrollo y experimentación de “plataformas a la carta” donde el usuario puede avanzar en el conocimiento técnico de una realidad patrimonial diacrónica y entender el espacio urbano como la etapa final de un dilatado proceso histórico.
Heritage 2018. Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Heritage and Sustainable Development, 2018
The appearance of Tarragona’s monumental complex of the Roman amphitheatre of Tarragona changed s... more The appearance of Tarragona’s monumental complex of the Roman amphitheatre of Tarragona changed significantly between 1967 and 1973. Alejandro Ferrant, architect of the Brigadas del Patrimonio Artístico Nacional (Brigades/Gang of National Artistic H¬¬eritage) of the Spanish government, directed/was the director of the reconstruction works of an important part of the Amphitheatre's grandstands, using materials that, over time, have been mimicked/confused with the original structures. The intention seemed to be to restore the original grandeur of the building, although the works focused on the middle sector of the grandstands (media cavea), and only a short section of the upper sector (summa cavea) was reproduced, causing the amphitheatre to be perceived small compared to its original volume. More than 40 years have passed since the works were carried out; the image resulting from Ferrant's intervention is part of city’s urban landscape: there are photographs of official tourist promotion in which almost only the reconstructed parts of the amphitheatre are shown. It is usual that not even the inhabitants of Tarragona know that most of what they see, as well as the seats they use in the events that the building hosts, are a recreation less than half a century old. At a scientific level, Ferrant's interventions are known, but as time goes by it is increasingly difficult to distinguish exactly where they start and end, because constructive techniques were used that, with the patina that gives time, in some areas are visually almost identical to the originals. The examination of the documentation of the archives of the architect, stored and catalogued in the Valencian Library and the delegation of Lleida of the Architects' Association, has allowed us to establish precisely the limits of Ferrant's interventions and provide a detailed chronology of the works.
One of the most common techniques for surveying architectural heritage today is the laser scanner... more One of the most common techniques for surveying architectural heritage today is the laser scanner. With this technology a point cloud is obtained which, after being processed by computer, results in a geometric mesh, and ultimately a three-dimensional model. But laser scanning delivers also, as a byproduct, the value of the reflectance of the documented surfaces, which is the quotient of the energy of the emitted laser beam (by the machine) divided by the energy received after being reflecting on the surface of the measured object. This value varies according to the angles of incidence and reflection of the beam, but also on the optical and surface properties of the materials on which the laser light is reflected. This latter characteristic has led to hypothesize that the different materials that compose the surveyed surface can be individualized and automatically recognized. After studying similar cases in the scientific literature (made with natural light, with flights and LIDAR, etc.) we have tried to see if this assumption could be confirmed experimentally, with promising results. In this work, we explain the evidence and the methodology of the experiments performed to test the validity of this hypothesis.
Historic urban centers have a very specific problem, with very large demands in relation to docum... more Historic urban centers have a very specific problem, with very large demands in relation to documenting their heritage elements. Not only for its typological diversity and extent, but also by the need to determine the interactions established between the different elements, especially the dialogue between the modern city and the historic towns. We present here the experience of the Roman circus of Tarragona, which occupies four hectares of the historic center of the city, where we have used the “Backpack”, the Mobile Mapping solution installed on a backpack from Leica-Geosystems. This system allows access -and therefore the documentation- of areas which are only accessible on foot, as well as underground and inside buildings
Uploads
Congress Papers by Josep Maria Macias Solé
The Circus arena was urbanized from the second half of the 6th century until the middle of the 7th. These findings are small excavations. There are a lot of walls but they do not allow to identify any building. Anyway, they attest the continuity in the reuse of Roman materials. This area had less entity than the Episcopal area. In both cases, the supply of the reused material would be from the remains of the old Roman town.
Valencia la Vella, a new and very important fortified settlement of 5 hectares, emerged at the end of the 6th century. The site is 16 km away from Valentia on the Turia river. This new city was made ex novo, so it was necessary a great building effort. The reused Roman stones are not lacking, but, in this case, the origin of this material was foreign. Edeta, a Roman municipality abandoned in the 5th century would be the most likely quarry to build the new site. The stones would must be moved from 12 km., although the transport would be facilitated by the nearby Turia river.
Valencia la Vella was abandoned in the late 7th or early 8th centuries. Contemporarily another important power center was created in Pla de Nadal, about 2 km. from Valencia la Vella. Probably the recently disappeared site would be used as a quarry.