Description
Emeritan pieces from the National Archaeological Museum
Book Summary
This work serves as the catalog for the exhibition of the same name held at the National Archaeological Museum between December 2009 and April 2010. Through a carefully curated selection of the institution's own holdings, the book presents the heritage legacy of the colony of Augusta Emerita, modern-day Mérida. Reading it completes the overall vision of life in the ancient capital of Lusitania offered by the permanent exhibition of the National Museum of Roman Art, providing a complementary and enriching perspective for anyone interested in archaeology and Roman history in Hispania.
What is it about?
The volume gathers and contextualizes a series of archaeological pieces originating from Augusta Emerita that are preserved at the National Archaeological Museum. These works, which range from sculptures and epigraphy to objects of daily life, were the core of a temporary exhibition designed to showcase the richness and diversity of the Emeritan legacy outside its usual geographical context. The book not only reproduces and describes each piece but also places them within the historical and social framework of the colony, offering keys to understanding the urban organization, beliefs, economy, and customs of its inhabitants. Thus, it functions as an essential complement for those already familiar with the exhibition discourse of the National Museum of Roman Art, contributing new interpretations and objects that enrich the narrative of Roman Mérida.
Main Topics
- The heritage legacy of Augusta Emerita (Mérida) as a Roman colony in Hispania.
- Cataloging and study of Emeritan archaeological pieces from the National Archaeological Museum.
- Historical contextualization of urban, social, and cultural life in Roman Lusitania.
- Relationship between temporary exhibitions and permanent collections of archaeological museums.
Who is it recommended for?
This book is aimed at archaeologists, art historians, humanities students, and enthusiasts of the ancient history of the Iberian Peninsula. It will also be of great interest to visitors of the National Archaeological Museum or the National Museum of Roman Art who wish to delve deeper into the temporary exhibition and Emeritan pieces outside their usual location. Likewise, it is a reference work for collectors and cultural heritage professionals interested in exhibition catalogs of high documentary quality.
What this book offers
- Offers a detailed and contextualized catalog of Emeritan pieces from the National Archaeological Museum, many of which are not permanently on display.
- Complements and enriches the vision offered by the National Museum of Roman Art regarding life in Augusta Emerita.
- Provides a high-quality visual and documentary resource for the study of Roman archaeology in Hispania.
- Facilitates the understanding of the organization and customs of a Roman colony through its material remains.
Technical Sheet
- Author: SPAIN. SUBDIRECCION GENERAL D; CASTELLAN
- Publisher: Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport. Area d
- Language: Spanish
- Collection: TBD. COLLECTION
- Binding: Other
- Publication date: January 2009
- Number of pages: 64
- Weight: 380 g
Editorial Review
This is a rigorous and well-documented exhibition catalog that fulfills its objective of disseminating Emeritan heritage from a perspective complementary to that offered by other museums. Its main value lies in the selection of pieces and the historical contextualization it provides, making it a useful tool for both specialists and interested visitors. Although it is brief (64 pages), the quality of the content and the institutional origin guarantee its value as a reference work within the field of Roman archaeology in Spain.