Decumanus is the road that ran through the ancient Roman city of Arpino from east to west, and that still today can be found in Via Aquila Romana.
Sections of the original road have been excavated and brought to light in an area of the old town considered the centre meeting place of Arpino.
The Roman roads were all made following a very precise methodology which ensured their durability and allowed them to last until today. After excavating and removing top soil, the Romans constructed the roadsides and between them placed a first layer with large stones (statumen) which constituted the real foundation of the road.
Above this layer were laid smaller stones (nucleus) that were going to fill the spaces left by the big rocks and that was compacted and compressed using poles (or cylinders). This layer was shaped so as to allow the outflow of rainwater.
After creating the support for the road, the 'pavimentum' was laid on top, being the last layer on which passed armies, horses and wagons. It was composed of polygonal slabs made of stone, in this case the stone is limestone from the white mountains Arpino.
At the centre of the road, built into the 'nucleus' is clearly visible the sewer.
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