In Rome, archaeologists discovered an unprecedented antique mosaic of shells and corals

Scientists were surprised by the complexity of the ancient image

An ancient mosaic of shells and corals, estimated to be 2,300 years old, was found buried in Rome.

Photo: Ministero della cultura

Five-year excavations on the side of Rome's Palatine Hill yielded treasure last week when archaeologists discovered a luxurious banquet hall, dating from around the first or second century BC, with large, intact and brightly colored wall mosaics.

According to CNN, the work is estimated to be about 2,300 years old and is part of a larger aristocratic mansion located near the Roman Forum, which has been excavated since 2018.

The mosaic scene is almost five meters long with depicting vines, lotus leaves, tridents, trumpets, helmets and mythological sea creatures was painstakingly created using mother of pearl, shells, coral, shards of precious glass and grains of marble. The piece is framed with polychrome crystals, spongy travertine and exotic ancient Egyptian blue tiles.

What makes this discovery “unsurpassed,” according to archaeologist Alfonsina Russo, head of the Colosseum archaeological park in charge of the site, is not only the incredible state of preservation of the mosaic, but also its artistic design, which also features celebratory scenes of sea and land battles. probably financed — and won — extremely wealthy aristocratic patron who immortalized victories on their walls.

The complexity of the victory mosaics surprised the team working on the project. They depict a coastal city surrounded by a wall, with observation towers and loggias — which, according to Rousseau, could be an ideal or real place — located on the top of a cliff, decorated with pieces of travertine. There are also scenes of sailing ships with their sails raised, along with images of mythical sea monsters devouring enemy fleets.

Archaeologists are trying to figure out whether thin — and dear at that time — the coral branches used in the exhibition were brought from the Mediterranean or Red Sea. The team believes that the rare bluish glass paste also used in the design was likely brought from the ancient Egyptian city of Alexandria.

“This 25 square meter (270 square foot) banquet hall is just one room in the ”domus" (the Latin word for house) spread over several floors,” Alfonsina Russo tells CNN in an interview. “In ancient times, when powerful noble families inhabited the Palatine Hill, it was customary to use rich decorative elements as a symbol of display of wealth and high social status.”

The hall that Rousseau considers the “pearl” was a banquet hall an open-air hall overlooking the garden, probably used in the summer for entertaining guests.

Such an elaborate space could also be used to impress guests with water games, which were very popular among the nobility at the time. “We found lead pipes built into decorated walls designed to supply water to pools or to create fountains that spout jets to create water games,” says Russo.

Marco Rossi, professor of Roman antiquities and head of the mosaic laboratory at the University of Rome degli Studi di Roma Tre, noted that these summer banquet halls were not only a place where hosts and guests went to relax, but were also used by the owner of the mansion as an indicator of their wealth and status.< /p>

“Mosaics are usually found on floors, but this one runs along the entire front wall and is incredibly well preserved,” Rossi said of the piece. – It was not crushed by the weight of the rubble, as can happen with some mosaics on the ground, and although it is fragile, it has not even cracked over the centuries.

Professor Rossi added that the discovery of a complete wall mosaic is extremely rare, not least because these fragments are more fragile than those intended for flooring, which can be walked on and can withstand pressure.

Scientists believe that the location of the large house also contributed to the preservation of the wall. Situated on the slope of Rome's famous Palatine Hill and subsequently covered by centuries of dirt and earth as the land moved, the structure and the treasures it contained were protected from air and light by layers of soil.

Although this new discovery still conceals there are many secrets in yourself — for example, why the property was abandoned and for how long, — Rousseau believes there is one mystery that archaeologists might be able to solve: the identity of its owner, probably a Roman senator.

“This man was so rich that he could afford to import such precious elements from the entire empire to decorate this mansion,” notes Rousseau. – So far we have not found anything that could shed light on their identity, but we believe that additional research could allow us to pinpoint the noble family.

Russo and her team intend to open this space to the public in early January. «We will continue to excavate other layers and areas of this evocative site to try to learn more,» she said. – This is truly an incredible display of Roman luxury”.