A fundamental technical innovation in the creation of floors first occurred in the 5th cent. BC in the region of Carthage (Kerkouane) [1]: the surface was designed with the help of small, rectangular or almost square cubes (tessellae) made of terracotta (opus figlinum, see below II.B.), limestone or marble, which were set into a bed of mortar with the tightest possible fit and were then polished for walking upon. It appears to have developed in this importa…
Cite this page
Niemeyer, Hans Georg (Hamburg) and
Panayides, Aliki Maria (Berne),
“Mosaic”, in:
Brill’s New Pauly, Antiquity volumes edited by: Hubert Cancik and , Helmuth Schneider, English Edition by: Christine F. Salazar, Classical Tradition volumes edited by: Manfred Landfester, English Edition by: Francis G. Gentry.
Consulted online on 29 March 2023 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/1574-9347_bnp_e810170>