The crucial role played by one of the favorite materials of the ancient Romans is the focus of an ongoing exhibition in Carrara: a journey through time that retraces the history of the Fossacava marble quarry, intertwining the stories of emperors, workers, and deities.
The glorious past of the Roman bardiglio marble quarry of Fossacava, near Carrara, forms the centerpiece of the exhibition “Romana Marmora. Stories of Emperors, Gods, and Quarrymen.” Open until January 12th at the CARMI Museo Carrara e Michelangelo, the exhibition explores the role of marble in ancient Roman society and offers a broad perspective on the past of this unique and fascinating site. Fossacava is one of the few Roman-era extraction sites that underwent significant archaeological investigations in 2015, providing us today with knowledge of its history, the techniques used for the production of Luna marble and its derivatives, as well as the ingenuity and daily labor required by those who worked there.
THE MARBLES OF ANCIENT ROME ON DISPLAY IN CARRARA
Allowing visitors to explore the history of Fossacava through artifacts, documents, and historical reconstructions, the exhibition highlights the importance of the quarry in the production of a marble so popular and appreciated that it was used for architectural and sculptural works both in Rome and throughout the Empire. The exhibition, curated by Giulia Picchi and Stefano Genovesi, unfolds across four rooms, where precious archaeological finds, such as unfinished products made on-site and ancient tools used for extraction, are displayed alongside exceptional marble artworks. Among these are a loricated statue of Octavian Augustus, a sculpture of the goddess Luna, and a relief dedicated to Silvanus, symbolizing the crucial role of religion in the quarry’s working environment.
SPECIAL EVENTS AT CARMI IN CARRARA
The exhibition also dedicates ample space to the stories of the protagonists of the ancient Tuscan quarry: emperors, contractors, quarrymen, and slaves are brought to the forefront of a narrative where labor, sacrifice, and luxury intertwine with the propagandistic purposes to which marble was always linked in ancient Rome. In addition to the exhibition “Romana Marmora. Stories of Emperors, Gods, and Quarrymen,” a program of conferences, special events, interactive educational workshops, and a special pathway for younger visitors is promoted, aiming to involve even the new generations in the discovery of the invaluable historical and cultural heritage represented by the precious Tuscan marble.
[Image in opening: View of the exhibition Romana Marmora, CARMI Museo Carrara e Michelangelo, Carrara, 2024. Photo by Giuseppe D’Aleo]
