Archaeological discoveries in Durrës, IKTK: We are dealing with a rare mosaic

Another mosaic was discovered a few days ago in the newest archaeological site of the city of Durrës, in the construction site of the "Gjergj Kastrioti" high school. The National Institute of Cultural Heritage states that the mosaic, which was the reason for the identification of the Roman villa and the beginning of the archaeological excavation, seems to be preserved in a large area of ??it. "While the function of this environment is still not clear, we can safely say that we are dealing with a rare and very high-quality mosaic, which allows us to suggest that the investment for the construction of the villa must have come from an important individual of the roman empire. This mosaic is made in the form of a carpet, with white and black stone tesserae, typical for the period between the 1st century BC and the 2nd century CE. Its decoration is made with geometric and floral motifs, where we mention the central panel with hexagonal motifs or differently with bee hives, and a band adjacent to the marble threshold which is composed of rosettes and the motif of two shields standing back to back", says the National Institute of Cultural Heritage, which has shared a photo on its website of the mosaic. But according to IKTK, the important fact is that mosaics with these motifs in the Roman Empire are widespread mainly in Italy, such as in Pompeii or Ostia, and very rarely in the east. "The appearance of this mosaic in Durrës shows the close economic, cultural and social ties with the neighbors in front of the city. Excavations continue", says IKTK. Earlier, IKTK stated that the excavations, which extend over an area of ??1200 m2, at this stage, have given us a special panorama of the urban organism of the area, where we are probably dealing with a part of the city where the elite layers of society lived .