The Drawing (from the fragment): from recording, through history, to interpretation

An essay on the forum of Évora (Portugal)

Abstract

Based on the drawing, this investigation sought to reconstruct a fragment of the city, according to a transversal reading of the trace, aiming to demonstrate a process to reach the hypothesis. The archaeological structures of Évora were the testing laboratory for this process, especially the monumental complex, composed of the Roman forum. A process that involves the rigorous representation of structures, based on archaeological and architectural records, the valorization of the historical study of the building and the urban space where these structures are located and the development of a hypothesis based on classical models. Therefore, the result of this essay could be the contribution of architecture to archaeology, in the sense of increasing knowledge of the Roman city, with drawing being the singular means of approaching the fragment through its evocation and materialization.