Roman Mosaic
A magnificent polychrome mosaic from the 4th century AD, located in the heart of Asciano’s historic center.
The Mosaic
Believed to be part of a luxurious rural villa, possibly equipped with thermal baths, this masterpiece is composed of precious colored tesserae, offering a rare glimpse into life during Late Antiquity.
The tiny tesserae, in shades of yellow, red, blue, white, and black—resembling miniature gemstones—have been arranged with meticulous precision to decorate a large rectangular room and a second, smaller space, each with a distinct decorative motif. The two rooms were likely separated by movable elements, such as curtains or panels, a common practice in antiquity.
The larger room, thought to have been a reception hall, features an elaborate floral rosette design, reminiscent of North African artistic traditions, framed by a band of pointed arches. The smaller room, in contrast, showcases a pattern of eight-pointed stars formed by rhombuses and squares, alongside the recurring motif of the “Solomon’s Knot.”
A Hope for the Future
Discovered in the late 19th century, the mosaic was fully unearthed and restored in the 1920s.
Although no further remains of the villa have been found, archaeologists agree that it likely extended across much of what is now the historic center of Asciano.
It is fascinating to imagine that future excavations may uncover new archaeological evidence, shedding further light on the history of this ancient site.
