Another mosaic discovered at Emperor Constantine's
villa
Source: Blic Online
Milena Marjanovic
15. 11. 2010
The discovery of yet another mosaic at Medijana is only a portion
of the ongoing research in a project of the Serbian Ministry of
Culture entitled "Constantine’s Mansion at the Medijana".
The project is due to be completed in two years’ time, while
RSD 17 million has been allocated for the purpose.
The
year 2013 will mark landmark 17 centuries from the establishment
of Christianity, and Serbia will join in the celebration with this
project, given that Emperor Constantine – who made the newly-founded
religion official through the Edict of Milan – was born in
the Serbian city of Nis, the place where he erected a summer residence
on Medijana.
Gordana Milosevic, the head of the Medijana project, told Blic.
"The mosaic was discovered in the north-western wing of the
mansion, where we began the research this year. Ever since 2005
we have had hints Constantine’s mansion could be bigger than
once thought, which these new mosaics confirm, and complement the
already discovered and now world famous mosaics depicting Neptune
and the winged Medusa. The discovery of the circular room with a
mosaic, the purpose of which we have yet to figure out, is certainly
a scientific confirmation of the residential and representational
aspect of Constantine’s mansion. The rotunda is 6 metres in
diameter. We searched through one part of it, and there that we
discovered the 15 square-metre mosaic,”
According to Milosevic, the mosaic is in decent condition, only
slightly damaged along the edges, complete with a geometrical border,
a plait pattern, four concentric circles – each with different
geometrical ornament - and floral elements, leaves and flowers,
most probably lilies, which are symbols of the purity of the new
faith. It is manufactured in colourful marble and stone cubes, with
shades of white, blue and red, but only after it is completely cleaned
will the full colour spectrum of the mosaic be revealed, as well
as the minutest composition details.
“The discovery of another mosaic is important for the occasion
of marking the anniversary of the founding of Christianity, which
will take place in 2013,” said Dusica Zivkovic, Assistant
to the Minister of Culture in charge of cultural heritage.
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