A mosaic floor made of natural pebbles and depicting two satyrs has been discovered in Eretria on the island of Evia during the installation of a new water pipeline.
The mosaic is placed in a section of an ancient Greek house of the late classical period, estimated in the middle of the 4th century BC.
According to the Ministry of Culture, the building in question is located in the heart of the ancient city, near the Temple of Daphniforos Apollo, the “Quarter of the Panathenaic Amphorae” and the “House of Mosaics”, where houses of the 4th century BC have been researched in the past and in many cases were decorated elaborate pebbled mosaic floors.
The mosaic, made of natural pebbles, shows two satyrs-one playing a double flute and the other, an older bearded figure, possibly dancing.
The mosaic’s detailed use of colored pebbles adds realism to the depiction.
The room, initially used for festivities, was later repurposed as a cemetery in the early Christian era.
During the water pipeline works, the four-sided room with an almost square plan, with internal dimensions of 3.50 m x 3,55 m, was revealed, defined to the south and east by walls. On the other sides (north and west) it was not possible to reveal the walls of the room, due to the limited extent of the excavation pit and the existence of the municipal road surface.
To protect the mosaic, the local Monument Council has recommended temporarily covering it and rerouting the pipeline.
More details at the Culture Ministry in Greek.
