THE CERAMIC BUILDING MATERIAL OF THE 1ST ITALIAN LEGION IN NOVAE (MOESIA INFERIOR). THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FORM AND FUNCTION

Andrzej B. Biernacki

This is a report on the classification and function of the ceramic building material discovered during the many years' extensive archeological work at the camp of the 1st Italian Legion in Novae (Moesia Inferior). The archeological finds, consisting of bricks, roof and floor tiles, and unusual wall panels, as well as the so-called "other material" (bobbins, tubuli and tubes), come from the complex of the legionary bath and military hospital, dating from the first half of the 2nd c. and used until the third quarter of the 4th c. Following thorough examination, the building designs applied at the legionary bath and hospital are described in detail; these include many unique ones. The examination focused on the designs of the hypocaust and wall heating devices, and the ribbed barrier ceiling vaults made of special ceramic tubes. The author proposes hypotheses explaining the origins of the building designs and the applied types of ceramic building material.

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