, Jeroen Poblome,
Jahreshefte des Österreichischen Archäologischen Institutes in Wien, Band 82/2013, pp. 379-408, 2024/10/15
Excavations in the ›Urban Mansion‹ at Sagalassos (SW-Turkey) have revealed 13 geometrical mosaic
floors in opus tessellatum thus far. These include the in situ mosaics belonging to two Early Imperial
phases of the private bath complex of the mansion, as well as – in situ and collapsed – pavements laid out
during the late 4th–early 5th century A.D. phase of the residence. The stratigraphical dating of the mosaics of the late antique representative wing is supported by their stylistic characteristics. The polychrome interlaced and interloped motifs, executed by multi-coloured tesserae made of local chert, are entirely in line with the mosaic floors of contemporary buildings. Within the architectural context of the late antique élite mansion these fashionable floors functioned as indicators of room hierarchy and they contributed to the self-display of the house owner. The article ends with underscoring the importance of collaboration between archaeologists and conservators when mosaics are encountered in the field.
