The contribution of non‑invasive methods in the detection of the perimeter of provincial roman towns: the case of the municipium of Balsa (Tavira, Portugal)

Abstract

One of the issues that arises in the research of provincial Roman towns from surface data is the determination of their perimeter. In fact, it is not always easy to distinguish the pomerium of the city from the constructions that were built in its surroundings, as is the case with the Flavian municipium of Balsa. The Roman city of Balsa, situated in southern Lusitania, has often been referred as an important and extensive city, whose remains were largely destroyed by agricultural works. However, although excavations have been very limited and punctual and no systematic field research has ever taken place, attempts have been made to reconstruct this port city. With the project, “Balsa, Searching the Origins of Algarve”, we have tried, through non‑invasive geophysical surveys and specific soundings, to clarify the dimension of its urban network and the degree of preservation of the ancient urbs, of which an extensive and rich remains from its necropolis and an interesting epigraphy are known. The results obtained have allowed us to verify that it was a much smaller city than previously thought, but with an important group of villae around it, which was frequently confused with the extension of its urban network.