With the arrival of milder days, seasonal operations have begun at the Ostia Antica Archaeological Park to uncover mosaics that remained protected during the winter months. The team of Ales Arte Lavoro e Servizi S.p.A. engaged in the Park has started in these days the removal of the protective sheets that during the cold months have covered many mosaic surfaces in the archaeological area. Giving news about it is the Park itself through some posts published on its social channels.
During winter, the mosaics are in fact covered with special sheets made of Delta-Lite, a material designed to reduce the effects of low temperatures and weather conditions on ancient surfaces. The purpose of the covering is to prevent the formation of ice and frost and to limit the accumulation of moisture, factors that can compromise the conservation of mosaic floors. The system also maintains a more stable temperature in contact with the surfaces, reducing the effects of temperature changes and protecting the tiles from the actions of the weather. Uncovering traditionally takes place with the arrival of spring, when weather conditions allow mosaics to be exposed to the open air again without risk to their preservation. The operations are part of the periodic maintenance and protection activities of the site, necessary to ensure the preservation of one of the most extensive and important mosaic heritages of Roman archaeology.
Similar interventions were also carried out at the Porto Necropolis on Isola Sacra, where the Ales team active in the Park removed the covers that had protected the mosaic floors of the tombs during the cold months. Here, too, the Delta-Lite sheets served a protective function against the humidity and temperature variations that characterize the winter season. Uncovering operations are progressively continuing in several areas of the archaeological complex. Among the surfaces that have become visible again is the famous mosaic with the god of the sea in the Baths of Neptune in the Ostia excavations. With the removal of the seasonal covers, the depiction of Neptune has become visible again as he leads the quadriga drawn by sea horses, one of the best-known images of Ostia’s mosaic heritage. The uncovering of the mosaics thus marks the start of the spring season also from the point of view of site maintenance, with the return to full visibility of some of the most representative floor decorations of the ancient port city of Rome.
 |
| Ostia Antica uncovers mosaics after winter: protective tarpaulin removal operations underway |
The author of this article: Noemi Capoccia
Originaria di Lecce, classe 1995, ha conseguito la laurea presso l'Accademia di Belle Arti di Carrara nel 2021. Le sue passioni sono l'arte antica e l'archeologia. Dal 2024 lavora in Finestre sull'Arte.Warning: the translation into English of the original Italian article was created using automatic tools. We undertake to review all articles, but we do not guarantee the total absence of inaccuracies in the translation due to the program. You can find the original by clicking on the ITA button. If you find any mistake,please contact us.
IT
FR
DE
ES
CN