Tile Column Components from Setúbal: 1st-4th centuries

Columns were a favourite Roman architectural element, and were used to create porticoes and walkways, covered but open-fronted areas alongside and at the entrance to more substantial buildings.

The scenic ruins of a Roman villa near Setúbal show that more important buildings, like the elevated sanctuary, were given columns fashioned of stone blocks, but that columns in less prominent places, like the courtyard, could be built up of modular tile elements.

The modular tiles in Setúbal Museum were probably also used for courtyards in domestic buildings, and were probably made in the area to supply local builders with inexpensive Roman-style building materials.