256 Apuntes del Alcázar de Sevilla
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fountain (by sculptor José Laffita Diaz) surrounded by six marble
columns with chains and small parterres for gardening. This sce-
nography responds to the landscaping works performed during the
nineteenth century as well as the improvements undertaken for
the 1929 exhibition.
The General Research Project, called “Archaeological Analysis of the
Alcázar of Seville II” (Tabales, 2008), divided the excavation works of
the Patio de Banderas in four consecutive activities which concluded
with the implementation of the project for enhancement of the site,
reorganization of the square according to criteria authorized by the
Special Protection Plan, and restoration of the house No. 15 in Patio
de Banderas as a reception center of the resulting archaeological crypt.
The two phases of research conducted (Tabales, Phases I and II, 2010
and 2012-2013) have led to the virtually complete excavation of the
central sector of the patio, specifically the area that is paved with
packed crushed rock, with an area of 675 m2. Remain to execute those
operations related to future accesses to the crypt and its connecting
with the area excavated by Bendala and Negueruela in 1976 (Phase III,
campaign that was scheduled to perform in early 2013) sector.
The archeological remains investigated (Fig. 4) constitute an irreg-
ular set of structures with diverse organization that are developed
between levels +10,40m and + 6,50m, among which we must empha-
size, due to their scientific value, materiality, level of preservation
and adaptation to a possible visit, those belonging to the late-Re-
publican Roman phase (in the archaeological memory referred to as
Republican Phase, 60-30 BC) and partially corresponding to another
building of large dimensions organized around a colonnaded patio
(V century).
The building of the late-republican period, devoted to an industrial
use associated with the port activity, inherited its ground geometry
from a previous building, fairly regular and slightly rotated with re-
gard to the current traces of the Patio de Banderas. It covers the en-
tire excavated area and its size is unknown, being visible how clearly
it extends beyond its limits in almost the entire perimeter.
The structures adjust to the natural topographic profile, building
platforms that are sequentially staged and with a gentle descent to
the south (fig. 5). The high one is organized in parallel bands includ-
ing a central space (+8.00 original level of use) supported by a system
of stone pillars, limited in its southern (level +7.00) and northern
fronts (elevation +8.60) by means of groups of naves or other en-
closed spaces juxtaposed with various identity. In some of the areas,
elevations of more than two meters high built with the technique
of opus africanum are preserved, as well as significant remains of
pavements opus signinum in good condition. In the southern edge,
a row of columns defines the front of an arcade, which is unknown
whether it was opened to a public or private space. In the northern
edge, it is possible that a street served as east-west boundary to the
complex. These built bands are limited on their eastern flank by two
passages or streets connecting together the different levels of use.
In the central strip (fig. 6) and supported on the eastern edge of the
site, an important layer of fillings provide the basis for the founda-
tions, pedestals of reused columns and remains of pavements be-
longing to an arcaded space located at level +10, 20 m., to just 2.30 m.
of the current altitude of use of the Patio de Banderas. It is a building
dating from the V century, with a slightly irregular geometry com-
pared with its Roman precedent, and that builds a columned arcade
that in height overlies the remains of the central space of the late-
Republican Roman building .
In short, the stratigraphic sequences and archaeological sites form
an irregular space materiality rich and complex reading that fits the
original topography and volumetrically descending in a north-south
direction (Fig. 7).
In relation to conservation measures taken during the conduct of
investigations pertaining to Phase II, the remains belonging to Phase
I (2010) were protected and covered by a layer of fillings, building an
edge of provisional containment toward rest of the field by wooden
terraces and filled with gravel.
After completing the work on Phase II, the site was protected with
a geotextile mesh surface covered by a layer of clean gravel rolled
aggregates (Fig. 8). The perimeter of the excavation —pavimento
slabs that are cut naranjos— alcorques of what constituted a verti-
cal cut of about five meters high whose own consistency stability of
the ground and surface containment system built was entrusted by
a network profiles and wire mesh.
Archaeological crypt project (2012)
The project aims to build an archaeological crypt and the recovery of
the previous aspect of the Patio de Banderas. Mainly it affected the
central-space excavated partially extending the plaza at its edges to
condition access systems and evacuation area.
Descending and watching are actions that we associate with the task
of archeology itself. Antiquity and importance of the remains dis-
covered a scenario where everything is valuable, since the vertical
cuts to the strata which have been identified levels of pavements.
They establish between themselves and the viewer intense relation-
ships that the project aims to integrate in a quiet atmosphere that
approaches an abstract historical past of this activity.
The crypt would not only be the reservoir container (fig. 9). The new
architecture and preexisting should build a continuous and unitary
space to show visitors the importance and complexity of what was
found, where everything is articulated simply and naturally, without
submissions that could reduce clarity than projected. The proposal
should address both the contemporary city as to the reality of the site,
seeking to integrate both presence.
The Patio de Banderas and the site follow different geometries,
slightly rotated relative to each other. The public space should pre-
vail in the footprint of new emergent elements. Instead, once de-
scended to the crypt, the archaeological remains would organize the
space suitable for visits, thus preventing unnatural impositions on
the pre-existing that would be subject to enhancement (fig. 10). The
meeting between the two and set —square and archaeological re-
mains—was resolved by a sequence of gaps articulated in the thick-
ness of a flexible skin. They could take many forms to link with steps
naturalness, circulation, exhibition areas or places for the reception
and accommodation of the public.
Walkways, stairs, exhibitors and facilities built within the container a
unitary system that we approached the archaeological remains with
levity, barely touching and adequate distance to your perception.
Built only in steel and glass, they aspired to be abstracted against
