A Roman mosaic has been found under a narrow street in the Old Town on the Adriatic island of Hvar in Croatia. The intricately crafted mosaic floor with a geometric pattern dates back to the 2nd century AD. It was once located in a luxurious Roman villa.
The street in the Old Town of Hvar was excavated before the start of water and sewage works. However, such finds have not been made here for the first time. In 1923, a trench was dug at this location for the laying of storm sewers, and the remains of a villa were found half a meter below street level. The discovered ruins were eventually covered with stone blocks and reburied to protect them from water.
The installation of the drainage system was not completed after the 1923 excavations. And problems related to the spread of moisture and rising sea levels threaten the preservation of the remains of the ancient Roman city of Faria in the historic Old Town of Hvar. Locals would like to see the mosaic intact. They suggest covering it with Plexiglas glass so that it is protected and at the same time visible. But the sea level has risen by almost 50 centimeters and the street can no longer be called dry land. The installation of a new water pipe is also underway, and it will pass only a couple of centimeters above the mosaic. Archaeologists are currently excavating 14 other sites near the mosaic site. They expect to find other remains of an ancient Roman villa, other mosaics and any archaeological artifacts that can help identify the structure. Or at least clarify whether it was a public or private building. Once the excavations are complete, authorities will have a clearer idea of what to do next.
Currently, archaeologists at the Old Town Museum are proposing to lift the mosaic and move it to the museum for long-term storage and further display in the exhibition. They will replace it with a replica that can be walked on without damaging the ancient artifact. The proposed solution must be approved by officials from the antiquities department in Split.
by -_Redan_-