Identification There were many blank areas on the Marble Plan, including the spaces occupied by the Tiber River (see fragment 24d), by gardens, arenas, temple precincts and courtyards--in short, any space devoid of architecture or human construction. In addition, several rows of large marble slabs occupied the entire lower part of the wall of the aula on which the Plan was placed, and probably also the other walls in the room. The strong veining pattern in this fragment may indicate that it was part of the floor or wall revetment of the room and not a piece of the Marble Plan.

Significance This database includes the first public presentation of 394 blank fragments from the Plan--they are not catalogued or illustrated in either of the two fundamental publications, PM 1960 and AG 1980. Because there are no incisions to guide scholars, the blank fragments have so far not played any role in attempts to put the Plan back together. Digital 3D matching may now allow blank parts of the Plan to be reconstructed together with incised areas. Should this piece match any of the inscribed fragments, we will know that even strongly veined marble was used for the Plan.

Text by Tina Najbjerg and Jennifer Trimble.