Traces and Memories of a Rural Reuse of Roman Amphitheatres: Archaeological Restoration and Landscape

Following the rise of Christianity and the severe economic crisis that affected the late Roman empire in Europe, Roman amphitheatres faced different fates, influenced by functional, social and economic factors. Urban systems gradually pushed amphitheatres out of the main urban core. They became isolated, and their ruins were repurposed for agriculture and for the defence from nearby cities. Over the years, these structures were buried to make way for new terraces or agricultural fields. In some other cases, they were altered by overlapping layers of other elements for residential or productive purposes. Despite this, the ancient amphitheatres have endured and drawn attention due to their ruins, their landscape and the narrative of their palimpsest. This narrative highlights the archaeological component and tells the story of their transformation over time. By focusing on significant case studies, such as the Anfiteatro Campano of Santa Maria Capua Vetere and the amphitheatre of Cuma, this study aims to examine the vernacular values of the ancient ruins, as well as the outcomes of the farmers activities –such as drainage channels or signs of ploughing and cultivation– on archaeology and landscape. The study proposes possible strategies and criteria for conserving the archaeological sites and enhancing the use of the storytelling, to communicate both their original story and their agricultural reuse over the years.