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Conímbriga

Conímbriga

Portugal · Coimbra

Ancient cityIntermittent excavation
Approximate period900 BCE — 700 CEIron Age, Roman and Late Antique periods See on the map ↓

In brief

Conímbriga is an extensive ancient city site that also contains traces of pre-Roman settlement. Excavations have revealed houses with mosaics, baths and walls from different phases of the city.

What was found?

  • 1Casa dos Repuxos

    It is a large Roman residence with water displays in its colonnaded courtyard. Its sections devoted to dining, reception, and family life show how an elite household functioned.

  • 2Floor mosaics

    These are decorated pavements preserved in residential rooms. Complementing the houses' architecture, these remains show the importance placed on decorating interiors.

  • 3Residence attributed to Cantaber

    It is the largest known private residence in the excavated area, containing sections arranged around courtyards. According to researchers, it may have belonged to Cantaber, but this ownership is uncertain.

  • 4South Baths and aqueduct

    The baths in the southern part of the city were supplied by the aqueduct from Alcabideque. Together, they document the water infrastructure established for public services.

  • 5Forum and imperial cult temple

    A more monumental complex with a prominent religious function was built in place of the old forum. The temple on a high podium shows the place of the imperial cult in the city center.

What does it point to?

Conímbriga shows how Roman urban development was added to an older settlement. Elaborate houses, water infrastructure, and the rebuilt forum indicate that private life and public investment changed together.

What did it teach us?

  1. Some arrangements of the Iron Age settlement were retained or adapted when Roman buildings were constructed.
  2. Water in the residences was also used for courtyards and fountains intended for display.
  3. The later walls did not enclose the entire city; some large residences and the amphitheater remained outside.

Images

Portugal - Conímbriga - mosaic floor (5377483220)
Harshil Shah from London, UK · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Ruínas Romanas de Conímbriga - Portugal (5731164721)
Vitor Oliveira from Torres Vedras, PORTUGAL · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Conímbriga - Ruínas (8)
Hugo Ferreira · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Record

Culture
Pre-Roman local communities and Roman
First modern dig
1873
Coordinates
40.0994°, -8.4906°

Sources

  1. imovel.patrimoniocultural.gov.pt
  2. en.wikipedia.org
  3. Conímbriga Ulusal Müzesi — Casa dos Repuxos
  4. Conímbriga Ulusal Müzesi — Cantaber'e atfedilen konut

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12.000

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