"An exceptional mosaic floor from Late Antiquity has re-emerged 62 years after it was hidden in Aquileia, northeast Italy. Dubbed the flowered carpet because of its large central panel featuring a delicate floral composition made of multi-colored tesserae, it dates to the 4th century. The flower carpet mosaic was first discovered in an excavation between 1962 and 1963 during construction of a Carabinieri barracks. It is 10.10 x 7.60 meters (33 x 25 feet), covering a surface area of 818 square feet."
"It was in extraordinary condition, with only small losses on the flowered carpet and guilloche border. The sections of lost tesserae on the border areas are limited as well, and the vast majority of the entire floor is intact. Evenly spaced pillar bases were found in place, and appear to have been supports for a cover added after the mosaic fell out fashion, as hard as it is to believe. It was likely a simple wood plank floor."
A large, well-preserved floral mosaic floor from the 4th century has resurfaced in Aquileia after 62 years buried beneath a former Carabinieri barracks. The mosaic measures 10.10 x 7.60 meters (818 square feet) and displays a multi-colored floral central panel, a guilloche border, and multiple black-and-white framing bands extending to the walls. The vast majority of tesserae remain intact with only minor losses. Evenly spaced pillar bases indicate a later simple wood plank covering. Archaeologist Luisa Bertacchi reburied the floor in 1962 to protect it. The former barracks will become a guesthouse and the mosaic will be conserved and put on public display in situ.
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