The Department of Culture and Sport has awarded the restoration works of the Tomb of Servilia, in the Archaeological Ensemble of Carmona, to the company Marve SL for 222,862.52 euros. The works, with a timeline of five months, aim to control runoff and enhance the Roman necropolis.
The Tomb of Servilia, one of the most emblematic funerary monuments of the Roman necropolis of Carmona, will undergo a profound intervention. The Department of Culture and Sport has awarded the project to the Seville-based company Marve SL, which will carry out the works over the next five months with a budget of 222,862.52 euros.
The main objective is to resolve a problem that threatens the stability of the building: surface runoff. As explained by the acting councillor, Patricia del Pozo, the reform will allow for the control of these waters and, at the same time, will enhance the emerging topography and new views of the site.
Two phases to restore the splendour of the Roman tomb
The project will be developed in two clearly differentiated stages. In the first, the earth accumulated during the excavations by archaeologist George E. Bonsor in the 19th century will be removed. This soil, which currently forms the upper flowerbeds of the burial, will be eliminated until the original rocky substrate appears. Subsequently, the necessary topographical data will be collected to plan the second phase.
Once the archaeological study is completed, the rocky stratum will be protected to ensure its impermeability. A drainage channel will be installed to direct the runoff water by gravity to a natural sinkhole in the larger quarry, thus preventing water from damaging the structure of the tomb. The councillor has highlighted that this intervention is key for the long-term conservation of the monument.
An ambitious investment plan in the Archaeological Ensemble
The Tomb of Servilia is not the only project underway in the Archaeological Ensemble of Carmona. The Department of Culture and Sport is implementing an ambitious investment programme to address the needs of conservation, protection, and dissemination of heritage. Among the most recent actions is the installation of an innovative cover over the tombs of Postumio and Tres Puertas, which regulates the masses of hot and cold air to prevent deterioration from rain.
The perimeter fencing of the Amphitheatre estate has also been completed, with an investment of nearly 400,000 euros, to enhance security, accessibility, and integration into the environment. These improvements also aim to enhance the visitor experience: over 15,000 people visited the site in the last year, according to data from the Department.
What to see in the Tomb of Servilia
Built in the first half of the 1st century AD, the Tomb of Servilia is an exceptional example of Roman funerary architecture. It features a part excavated in the rock and another built with large blocks, shaped like a typical Roman domus or house. It reuses an ancient quarry and is organised around a large central porticoed courtyard.
Inside, important sculptural pieces are preserved, such as the sculpture of Servilia and that of the Infante, as well as mural paintings in the access corridor to the main chamber, where a female figure appears in front of a balance. With the reform, these elements will be better protected and can be admired by visitors in optimal conditions.
The works will begin in the coming weeks, once the contract with the awarded company is formalised. During the five months that the works last, access to the tomb may be restricted, although the rest of the Archaeological Ensemble will remain open to the public.
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