The analytical approach to the Roman mosaics. A case-study in Northern Italy

The study of Roman mosaics involves the material of the foundations made of mortar layers. Common analytical techniques were employed to identify the mortars using only few samples: X-ray diffraction on powder, optical microscopy on cross thin sections. The case studied involves the Borgo Regio villa (Desenzano – Lombardy), a residential complex with two sectors of buildings, gardens and courtyards. The northern sector includes a thermal complex with different rooms; in particular, the room 54 shows six floors lying one upon the other, dating back from the end 1st century B.C. to the second half of the 4th century A.D. The main differences among the floors are the sequence of the mortar layers and the composition of the mortar aggregate. The comparisons among Desenzano and other roman floors in Northern Italy point out some interesting differences. (Excerpt from the author’s abstract.)