Archaeological park of Morgantina and Villa Romana del Casale
Mosaic of slippers that decorates the floor of a room in the bath complex of the old Villa Romana
A Roman mosaic with the image of a large pair of slippers was found, almost completely intact, in the springs of Villa Romana del Casale, an opulent villa in Piazza Armerina, Sicily. It had been covered by mud during a flood for hundreds of years.
Archaeologists are investigating a mosaic found in the ruins of an ancient Roman villa, which represents a pair of blue and brown sandals with a strangely similar appearance to the modern slippers of (pass advertising) known Brazilian brand.
The Colorful Art Work Decorates the frigidarium Villa Romana del Casale, a place classified as World from UNESCO, located in Sicily. Dating from the fourth century DC, it was built at the foot of a hill at three great terraces, says a.
Since archaeologists began to carefully excavate Villa in the 1950s, they discovered monumental structures and works of art on your land. According to one from Morgantina Archaeological Park, the property had A patio, garden and suites for guests.
Isabella BaldiniArchaeologist at the University of Bologna, Italy, led the project in the last four years, which investigates Villa Romana del Casale. The program brings annually, all summers, 40 students and researchers from 11 countries, who graduate from on site.
This summer, students analyzed mosaics in Villa’s elaborate bathing complex, which include A gym, massage room and toilets.
These rooms are decorated with mosaics that Provide tracks about the purpose of each space. For example, the Massage Room Mosaic It represents an athlete receiving an oil massage. The Mosaic of the Slippers Decorates the frigidariumwhere were pools of cold water.
“The slipper is a recurring reason in the Roman baths Late, also attested in Spain, Cyrenaica, Cyprus, Jordan and Asia Minor, ”Baldini explains to Ao.“ As in other cases, the representation serves to Characterize the building within its aristocratic and international dimension. ”
Although current slippers have their origin in Japanese Zori Sandals of straw and fabric, which in turn inspired Brazilian adaptationsThe ancient Romans used a variety of sandals that served both military and civilians.
Roman soldiers, a thick sole sandal and often with studs, designed for traction and durability. Civilians opted for lighter styles, such as soleaemade of leather or materials entitled and attached to the foot or strip, explains the artnet.
In addition to the slippers, the remarkable mosaics of the house include a hunting scenewhich represents Romans to capture exotic animals to be displayed in circuses in Rome, and the so -called “bikini girls”which shows ten women to participate in athletic competitions.
One of the village’s mosaics, nicknamed “bikini girls”, portrays women to participate in athletic competitions
The researchers initially thought that Villa Romana del Casale would be a imperial residencebut later concluded that it actually belonged to a Elite member of Rome.
During the Middle Ages, a landslide covered the villa with debriswhich helped preserve its interior.
Although it was rediscovered in the nineteenth century, archaeologists have only started comprehensive excavations in the 1950s. Now they are taking advantage of new technologies to get a better understanding of property.
