The “Flower Carpet” mosaic reappears after 62 years –

A unique mosaic floor from late antiquity has resurfaced in Aquileia, northeastern Italy, after being hidden for 62 years. Known as the “Flower Carpet” because its large central panel has an intricate floral pattern made of multi-colored inlays, it dates from the 4th century.

The floral carpet mosaic was first discovered during an excavation during the construction of the Gendarmerie Barracks in 1962-1963. It measures 10.10 x 7.60 meters (33 x 25 feet) and has an area of ​​818 square feet. The floral center panel features a guilloche pattern. It consists of a wider white border and a thin double border of black tiles, then another large swath of white, another thin black border, a thin white border and finally a thick black border that extends to the wall.

It is in very good condition with only some minor damage to the floral carpet and guilloche trim. Limited portions of the inlay are missing in the border areas, and the vast majority of the entire floor is intact. One finds evenly spaced column bases in place, which appear to be supports for a cover that was added after mosaics fell out of fashion, which is incredible. This could be a simple plank floor.

Archaeologist Luisa Bertacchi, who led the 1962 excavation team, ensured that the mosaic was reburied to protect it from damage during construction. The location of the barracks was moved back to avoid building on this ancient masterpiece. Today, the Aquileia Foundation has converted the former military barracks into a campus hotel with 24 beds for professors and students working on site.

The floor was covered again, but only to keep it safe for the winter. Once the weather warms up, the mosaics will be cleaned and preserved and put on public display in situ. A wall between the former Carabinieri barracks and the adjacent archaeological site (a Roman manor house with a luxurious villa) will be demolished to enable a thorough study of the connection between the flower carpet structure and the manor house. Archaeologists suspect it may have been a vast residence owned by a wealthy Aquilean in the fourth century.

Aquilia, located in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region of modern Italy, was founded as a Roman military colony in 181 BC and quickly grew in importance, with an estimated population of 200,000 by the 2nd century. In the 4th century when the mosaics were made, the city had a royal palace where the emperor lived. It was one of the most important cities of the Empire and a major target of the Empire. The Visigoths under Alaric invaded the site in 401 AD, and Atilla the Hun nearly razed it to the ground when he attacked in 452 AD. It is incredible that this mosaic survived such a vicious attack.