Late Roman Mosaic in villa No 1 in Kalimanitsa near Montana
Late Roman Mosaic in villa No 1 in Kalimanitsa near Montana

Summary/Abstract: The mosaic pavement in villa No 1 in Kalimanitsa belongs to the West Balkan type of composition with geometric character. It is well dated with a coin, found in the mortar, in the years immediately after or synchronous to 319-320. At that time additional rooms and walls were constructed in the villa. Very interesting are the data on the mosaic technique and the specialization in the craft of mosaic. In the horreum near the villa a lead sheet was found, probably used for samples of different motives and elements of the mosaic. The non-used tesserae found in another room of the horreum show that the assistant of the mosaicist was occupied in cutting the stone and preparing the material for the mosaic, while the master was busy with its designing and making. The analysis of the mortar evidence the usage of blood for better quality of the mosaic foundation. The marble of Berkovitsa in several colours is used predominantly. The composition is typical for the West Balkan areas, influenced by Northern Italy. It has no figural or ornamental decoration, but there is a balance between the orthogonal and curvy elements-fillings. The places of the entrances, real or provisory, are marked at the borders.

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