 This is a National Monument of Brunant and as such may not be modified or dismantled.
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| Villa Fulvia | |
|---|---|
| |
| National Monument | |
| Location | Central Parish |
| Type(s) | Historical |
| Selected | 1986 |
Villa Fulvia ruins
Villa Fulvia is the site of an ancient Roman settlement, located nearby the Brunanter capital, Koningstad. It is located in Central Parish and is a National Monument.
History[]
Villa Fulvia was long considered to have been founded 276 by Roman settlers. Early archaeologists leading the first major excavations in 1798 were convinced of a foundation date of around 280, which was narrowed down over the time to around 276. Evidence discovered around 2016-2018 may put the founding date to as far back as 190-200.
The name of the town was also long believed to come from the mother of emperor Septimius Severus, Fulvia Pia, of which evidence was discovered as early as 1820. It was a small town, with many small houses, and a large government building in the town center. Around 380, the settlement was abandoned by the Romans and largely forgotten. It is possible that a large storm destroyed the settlement or a winter frost destroyed the crops.
Early modern history[]
During one of Adrianus Graf's hunting expeditions in 1556, he came across the Roman settlement. At the time these were a curiosity for Graf and other wealthy people in his circles. By 1560 he had built himself a hunting villa to the north of the ruins, which today is a part of Koningstad.
In 1798 a team funded by Archbishop Auguste Petit de Grave began the first archaeological works in the site. An honorific plaque to Septimius Severus and Fulvia Pia was discovered in 1820, though at the time was left unexplained.
Modern excavations[]
The so-called archaeological revolution of the early 2000s began to change the historical timeline of Brunant. Artefacts were discovered in 2006 dating to before c. 250, and in 2012 pottery from around 215 was discovered. The discovery of a Roman port from the second century southeast of Koningstad from 2010 began to change opinion to perhaps an earlier foundation date. In 2016 several houses were discovered to have foundations older than 276, which archaeologists have said are from before 230 to perhaps around 200.
National Monument[]
In 1923, Villa Fulvia was declared a National Monument by the Department of Parks and Monuments. It is one of the major tourist attractions of the island.