Archaeology and Modern Architecture: A Comparative Reading

This essay explores the relationship between archaeology and modern architecture, moving beyond the conventional examination of modern archaeology to examine the role of archaeology in a modern context. It traces the influence of archaeology from the Renaissance to the early 20th century, through the Modern Movement and Italian Rationalism, arguing that historical context is essential to architectural knowledge. The essay criticises the contemporary neglect of historical consciousness and promotes the past as a key contributor to shaping the present. It debates the nature of archaeology, suggesting that it fuses a scientific discipline with antiquarian elements such as excavation and esotericism. The narrative reflects on how archaeology has been perceived through the ages, incorporating both scientific and initiatory perspectives. Through a series of images, the text reveals a hidden archaeology in various artistic expressions, from Roman frescoes to literary works such as Hypnerotomachia Poliphili. It highlights Giovanni Battista Piranesi’s engravings for their conceptual importance. Arguing for a unified vision of Roman and Greek antiquity, the essay uses the Villa Adriana as a case study to discuss the continuing relevance and evocative power of ancient architecture in modern contexts, demonstrating the enduring value of archaeology in contemporary architectural discourse.