2022/06/21 by Kabakchieva, Gergana
paper · doi:10.25364/26.44:2021.15
This paper presents the results of the latest archaeological investigations in the area of the Achaean mosaic building at Ulpia Oescus. The building has been identified as a Roman residence. In recent years excavations, especially in the reception hall (aula), have uncovered a large amount of marble pieces from the wall covering, as well as marble pieces from the opus sectile mosaic type. The marble comes in many different colours – yellow, green, white, purple, blue and others. Many of the marbles were imported from Italy, Greece, Egypt, and Asia Minor. Fragments of porphyry, red-brown jasper, and yellow-brown alabaster from architectural decoration have also been found. The remains of the residence have been dated to the late Roman period. The luxurious marble decoration in Achaean mosaic building was executed for the official visit of Emperor Constantine the Great to Oescus ad 328 in connection with the opening of the bridge over the Danube.