English: Macellum Magnum, also known as Macellum Augusti, drawing by Francesco Bianchini in his work "Del Palazzo De' Cesari" (On the palace of the Caesars), 1738.
Between 1720 and 1727, Cardinal Francesco Bianchini was employed by Duke Francesco I of Parma to lead the excavations of his Roman estate located on the Palatine Hill. In ancient times, Palatine Hill was the location of the palace of the Caesars and in fact, the modern word palace is derived from the name of the hill. Over the course of seven years, Bianchini excavated many buildings, including the Macellum Augusti, a type of market, dedicated by the emperor Nero in 59 AD and located on the Caelian Hill: now physically connected to the Palatine Hill, unlike in ancient times. The wonderful reconstruction seen on this plate was inspired by the ruins excavated by Bianchini and from an image of Macellum Augusti on an ancient Roman coin. As with most markets, a tholus (circle structure) graces the center of the market and here is flanked by market buildings and triumphal arches. In 1727, while excavating, Bianchini fell through the ceiling of a vault and was gravely injured. He passed away two years later and his son Giovanni posthumous published this record of his father’s archeological work on the Palatine Hill.