The Pompeii Archaeological Research Project: Porta Stabia (PARP:PS) is bringing to light a largely forgotten corner of ancient Pompeii that has unparalleled potential for enlightening Pompeian and Roman history. Through the full range of archaeological inquiry, this project is revealing the dynamic structural and social history of an entire city block of Pompeii: here we have discovered a working-class district (modest houses, shops, workshops, and hospitality outlets) which had an intimate urban connection to several adjacent and monumental public buildings, city fortifications, and other major civic networks. We are unraveling the sequence of building programs for these properties through archaeological excavations, structural and artefactual analyses, and geophysical surveys. This project thus presents a unique opportunity to examine the complex decisions involved in the planning, integration, and use of public and private space in the ancient city. The results will contribute a more detailed and reasoned understanding of the roles that non-elites played in the shaping of an ancient city.

Insula VIII.7 is located in the southern half of ancient Pompeii near the city's entertainment and theater district. Relatively little archaeological research has been carried out in this area so far. The buildings were first brought to light in the 1870's. Further clearance of the volcanic debris occurred in the early 20th century. More recently, some general cleaning and conservation work on the standing architecture was carried out in the early 1980's. PARP:PS began scientific stratigraphic excavation of the architectural and spatial arrangement of this neighborhood in 2005.

We will continue to explore the sequence of urban developments for this corner of the city in 2009. The potential outcomes and results will contribute significantly to several of the recent and continuing archaeological projects in the neighboring insulae, as well as to others across the city.

PARP:PS is principally funded by the Louise Taft Semple Fund through the Department of Classics at the University of Cincinnati, and in part by a Research and Exploration Grant of the National Geographic Society.  The project is directed by Steven Ellis and Gary Devore.