Multimodal documentation methods at Villa of Brutus, Tivoli

Towards a new understanding of otium villas

Bibliographic Data

ID19488669
AuthorsJuan José Algaba Torrealba (0000-0002-8119-0277), Antonio Abate (0009-0000-3648-0032, Coherent (United States)), Fernando Moreno-Navarro (0000-0002-7279-5856, University of Alicante), Jesús García Sánchez (0000-0001-7766-1972, Instituto de Arqueología-Mérida, corresponding author)
Year2026
Volume73
Pages105884
Publication date2026-09-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Archaeological Science Reports (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2352-409X • E-ISSN: 2352-4103
PublisherElsevier BV (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1016/j.jasrep.2026.105884
OpenAlexW7164841646
LanguageEN
References cited12

The otium villas (luxurious aristocratic residences) in Latium and Tibur (Tivoli, Italy), exemplified by Hadrian’s Villa, reflect elite power and monumentality. Traditionally examined in terms of their architecture and imperial associations, their origins are closely connected with the development of terraced sanctuaries and with processes of senatorial competition, giving rise to a phenomenon that proved decisive in the later Roman Republic. This research proposes a comprehensive digital methodology applied to the Villa of Brutus, integrating architectural analysis, GPR, laser scanning, photogrammetry, and GIS, applied for the first time in one of these Tibur villas. This methodology has been developed and implemented in the southern sector of the villas. Moreover, the application of a comprehensive set of methods to a large and complex site, properly informed by theoretical approaches, has provided valuable insights into its construction phases. A phase predating the villa with the presence of Republican aqueduct, the Anio Vetus (272 BC), a second phase with the construction of a Late Republican basis villae (original construction), so far documented in an area of 997 square meters (sq. m.); and a third phase (dated in 1st-2 nd cent. AD) in which the original villa plan was covered with massive terraces supported by substructions. The latter complex extends over 15,000 sq. m, of which 7,500 sq. m have been studied. The results are presented in this paper

Documentation · Field (mathematics) · Multimodality · 3D Surveying and Cultural Heritage · Classical Antiquity Studies · Maritime and Coastal Archaeology

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access