Investigating the construction methods of an opus vermiculatum mosaic panel

摘要: From the third century BC to second AD small detailed central panels (emblemata) made using opus vermiculatum technique were used as focal points in larger mosaic pavements. They custom stone or terracotta trays facilitate their transport and placement. Although have been discovered throughout Hellenistic Roman Mediterranean, location of workshops specialising production finely worked is still unclear. Their association with named artists, for example Dioskourides Samos, locations finds (such fragments floor by Hephaistion at Pergamon) point eastern Mediterranean. A large unidentified fragment an emblema, its tray, from collections Department Greece Rome British Museum was subject analytical examination. These investigations tesserae (glass cubes), traces pigments mortar aimed determine raw materials manufacturing processes characterise nature application paint mortar. Egyptian blue pigment hematite carbon suggest that a fully coloured drawing executed on fresh guide positioning tesserae. In addition, samples tray taken attempt identify provenance. This contribution describes how results these provide deeper understanding construction methods.