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| Macellum with the central pavilion clearly visable |
The Macellum or Market was a hub o activity right off the
forum. The entrance is still rather impressive even though only one story
survived the eruption.
IN the center of the market are twelve stone bases made of
volcanic rock. Originally it is supposed that they supported wooden columns of
some type that in turn supported a wooden roof. Much has been made of the fact
that copious amounts of fish bones were found here so presumably the covered
area was where fish was sold.
At the rear of the market are three rooms. The central one
raised up on a number of steps is a shrine to the Imperial Cult. Copies of the
statues found here have been placed in the niches at the sides. With the harsh
brick lacking its original stucco decoration the statues look a little out of
place. A little, tacky, a little Las Vegas or Atlantic City.
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| Shrine to the Imperial Cult |
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| Atlantic City? |
The stairs to the shrine are really well preserved.
Some of the store rooms mentioned in the Artifact Storage post are located along the south side of the macellum near the entrance from the forum.
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