The archaeological investigations of 2008 undertaken within the Roman habitation quarter of the ancient city of Hadrianopolis, continued with the discovery of the previously identified Public Structure. The excavations show that it was constructed above the remains of an earlier structure, abandoned between the 2nd and the 3rd Centuries AD.
The excavation uncovered one of the areas (Area 1) of the public structure, which was of a rectangular plan with dimensions reaching 8 × 12, 90 m. Walls of the western, southern and eastern sides were exposed, whereas that on the northern part has not been identified yet. The excavation within Area 1 revealed several dividing walls which indicate the presence of three other rooms, paved with limestone slabs. Several soil layers identified on the eastern sector, outside Area 1, could be interpreted as a makeup phase for another floor paving. An additional rectangular area (Area 2 – with dimensions 10, 20 × 5, 60 m) was identified on the southern side; the presence of an apse was noticed at the middle of the wall on the eastern side. The construction materials and artifacts found in the reparation layers related to the former floors and to the construction of the public structure, date not earlier then the 3rd Century AD. At this phase, it can be assumed that the big building was facing toward west opposite the theatre towards a square which functioned as a porticus post scaenam, and also south, towards an empty space which gave access to the theater’s portico. It’s location near the theatre, the public character and the presence of the apse in Area 2, suggest that the complex might have functioned as a thermae.
At the middle as the 4th Century AD, some rearrangement works seems to have been carried out within the rooms of Area 1 and in the opened area to the north. Interventions were also undertaken in the floor and walls of Area 2 to the south.
On a series of destruction layers (which were up to 1 m thick), walls made of stones and bricks (US 2205, 2206, 2207, 2218 and 2032) were identified. The wall lines belong to a new structure, whose foundations lay directly above the walls of the Roman structure. The constructions of a new wall in Area 1, not only divided the area in two parts but it was also used to support a recently built gable type of roof. A new rectangular structure (6, 62 × 4, 22 m) was built in the open area in front of the theatre. Area 2 was also divided into two parts and the apse was blocked. The material related to the reconstructions made at the public structure date at the 4th – 6th Centuries AD.