Conservation of Floor Pavements of the Basilica in Perinthos-Herakleia

Abstract

The basilica-planned church, situated in the ancient city of Perinthos-Herakleia (modern Kalekapı) is decorated with a mosaic floor dated to the end of 5th – beginning of 6th c. AD. The first excavation and conservation works at the church were carried out in 1992-1993. These works were put on hold during the expropriation process of the area for public purposes and reinitiated in 2007. The northern and southern naves of the basilica as well as the northern wing of the atrium, and inner and outer narthex are decorated with opus tessellatum mosaics; naos and middle part of the atrium are paved with marble slabs. The annex, to the southwest of the basilica which was used as a chapel in later periods is paved with opus sectile and marble slabs. The conservation of these pavements was planned in three phases: 1) “Documentation and Conservation”, 2) “Preparation for Display” and 3) “Periodical Maintenance”. Phase 1 (Documentation and Conservation) has been completed in 2013.

Keywords

• perinthos-herakleia
• mosaic pavement
• opus sectile
• marble slabs
• conservation