Archaeologists have found an ancient Roman mosaic that has no analogues in the world (12 photos)

Not far from the Roman Colosseum, archaeologists have discovered a luxurious Roman house dating back 2,000 years. It is decorated with a unique mosaic of shells, marble and precious glass. This is a rare find that has no analogues.





The mosaic depicts three large ships sailing on the waves towards a coastal city, the walls of which are dotted with small towers and porticos. This scene suggests that the owner of the house was the victor of some kind of battle.



According to Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano, the building, dating from the period between the second half of the 2nd century BC. e. and the end of the 1st century BC. e., is a “true treasure”.





Excavations at the site have been ongoing since 2018, when archaeologists discovered a series of walls. The house occupies several floors.



So far only part of the rooms have been excavated; work will continue until 2024.



According to representatives of the ministry, the main room of the house is a banquet hall, stylized as a grotto, which was used in the summer months.



The home's owner, an aristocrat - probably a senator - entertained guests with "spectacular water games" thanks to lead pipes running between the decorated walls, the ministry said.



“What makes this find exceptional is... an unusual wall covered with so-called “village” mosaics, which have no analogues in the chronology and complexity of the scenes depicted.”



According to ministry officials, the mosaic is made using various types of shells, Egyptian blue tesserae, precious glass, tiny flakes of white marble and other types of stone.

Among the vines and lotus leaves are piles of weapons with Celtic-type trumpets, warships and tridents, "hinting perhaps at the double triumph, earthly and seaborne, of the owner of the house."



There is also a charming depiction of a landscape with a coastal town and an imitation travertine rock facing "the sea, plowed by three large ships, one of them with sails raised."

The image of a coastal city may allude to a military conquest by the owner of a house belonging to an aristocratic person, presumably of senatorial rank.



Archaeologists also discovered white stucco of “the highest quality” in the adjacent room.

“We will work intensively to make this site, one of the most impressive in ancient Rome, accessible to the public as soon as possible,” said Alfonsina Russo, head of the Colosseum Archaeological Park.



The house is an early example of "luxuria" - the display of wealth and high rank through luxurious villas and lifestyles.

It also confirms historical sources that describe the large and wealthy residences of the great Roman senatorial families in the northwestern region of the Palatine, one of the city's seven hills.