Common Aspects of the Mosaics of Sardinia, North Africa and Iberian Peninsula in the Light of Recent Discoveries

Abstract

The article aims at understanding the common aspects of the new mosaics discovered comparing them to mosaics of North Africa and Iberian Peninsula. For the writing of this work, the teachings of the late Prof. Jose Maria Blázquez were handed down through a myriad of publications: A scholar who has always been busily occupied with all the mosaic art of the Mediterranean. The first part is dedicated to the geometric mosaics, two from “Domus dei Mosaici” and “Domus di Orfeo” (Turris Libisonis) and one from Sant’Imbenia, Alghero. The second part is dedicated to the figurative mosaics: Orpheus discovered in Turris Libisonis and a Head of Medusa discovered in Sant’Imbenia, Alghero. The ancient mosaics of Sardinia show the influence of nearby North Africa, not only in the figured mosaics but also and above all in the geometric mosaics. The cities in which we find more evidence of mosaics in Sardinia are: Nora, Porto Torres and Cagliari. But the city that in the last year is returning the greatest testimonies in terms of mosaics is the ancient Turris Libisonis. This article will not take into account all the recent discoveries, only the most significant and comprehensive to better explain the North African and Iberian influences: The mosaics that are not taken into consideration, in any case, are very similar to those examined here. It is hoped that in the future the archaeological excavations will bring to light new mosaics: So we can have more evidence to establish how much the North African influence was present in Sardinia.

Keywords

• roman mosaic
• sardinia
• hispania
• north africa
• roman provinces