Mortier et Béton de Sol : Un Etat de la Question
Abstract
After a brief presentation of the various materials used in these pavements and the description of their decorative repertoires, we discuss the question of vocabulary. Indeed, for several years, many problems of terminology divide the scientific community. The study of ancient texts and the different interpretations of the De Architectura of Vitruvius, rather than clarifying the study of this type of pavement lead to make it more confusing. A detailed commentary of the new terminology defined by Italian researchers, shows that it is not easy to standardize the descriptions. Further difficulties arise when it comes to translate a word in another language, as interpretation often generates new ambiguities. I consider mortar pavements as the most suitable general term for this pavement type, because mortar is the basic component and at the same time the most neutral term. Finally, it seems appropriate to revisit the term of terrazzo-signinum used widely, (perhaps wrongly) in the French archaeological literature.
Keywords
References
- Adam 1984 J. Adam, La construction romaine, Matériaux et techniques, Paris, Picard.
- Allamani − Misailidou 1992 V. Allamani – V. Misailidou, “Ανασκαφικές έρευνες στην αρχαία”, AErgMak 6, 208-212.
- Bats 2012 M. Bats, “Les Phocéens, Marseille et la Gaule (VIIe-IIIe s. av. J.-C.)”, Pallas 89, 145-156.
- Blake 1930 M. E. Blake, “The pavements of the Roman buildings of the Republic and Early Empire”, MAAR 8, 7-160.
- Bruneau 1972 P. Bruneau, Les Mosaïques, EAD XXIX, Paris, De Boccard.
- Bruneau 1982 P. Bruneau, “Pavimenta Poenica”, MEFRA 94-2, 639-655.
- Bulard 1908 M. Bulard, Peintures murales et mosaïques de Délos, Paris, Monuments et mémoires de la Fondation Eugène Piot 14.
- CAG Marseille 2005 M. Rothé – H. Tréziny, Carte archéologique de la Gaule, 13/3, Marseille et ses alentours, Paris, Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres.
Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Archaeology
Journal Section
Research Article
Authors
Veronique Vassal
This is me
Publication Date
December 31, 2016
Submission Date
May 25, 2015
Acceptance Date
November 6, 2016
Published in Issue
Year 2016 Number: 9