Archaeological investigations were undertaken on the building situated on the north side of the forum and on the decumanus maximus. The porticus surrounds the forum on three sides: it was built in opus reticulatum during the second half of the 1st century B.C. and remained in use until the 4th-5th centuries A.D. Its columns are brick-built with a smooth plaster finish, with mouldings. They rest on limestone bases. The porticus was entered from the forum via a step, whilst three entrances opened from the building’s external side. At the beginning of the 4th century A.D., the original Augustan pavement was substituted by a simple, beaten mortar floor which remained in use until the end of the 4th – beginning of the 5th century A.D.
In the late antique period the porticus was destined for private use, whilst the areas adjacent to it were transformed into cemeteries.
In the area between the porticus and temple C, several structures in opus incertum have come to light. Between the crepidoma, which flanks the road to the east, and the temple’s podium were the remains of a monumental covered fountain, with enclosure. This dates to the 2nd century A.D. and continued in use until the 4th – 5th centuries A.D.
The decumanus maximus has been excavated along a stretch between the theatre and the Imperial baths. The road bed (4m wide) has a “donkey back” section and was paved during the course of the first half of the 2nd century A.D. with large limestone basoli, with stepped edges. At a distance of 21m, south of the forum, the decumanus crossed a 3m. wide cardo paved with cobblestones at a right angle. (Maris Luisa Nava)