@article{article_1813596, title={Study of Two Roman Mosaics from the Area of Influence of the PAX IVLIA CIVITAS (CONVENTVS PACENSIS) Housed at the Regional Archaeological Museum of Beja and the Museum of Archaeology of the Castle of Vila Viçosa (Alentejo) - Mosaic Documentation, Restoration and Conservation Procedures}, journal={Journal of Mosaic Research}, pages={1–13}, year={2025}, DOI={10.26658/jmr.1813596}, author={Abraços, Maria De Fátima and Wrench, Licínia N. C.}, keywords={Pax Iulia, Civitas, Roma mozaikleri, Portekiz arkeoloji müzeleri, restorasyon, koruma.}, abstract={In Portugal, during the second half of the 19th century, a few individuals and institutions, guardians of archaeological finds, tried to publicize and preserve the mosaics that were being discovered. Mosaic pavements with figurative motifs, or emblemata, were removed from their original locations, mounted on plaster or cement supports, and framed for exhibition.
In Portugal, there are currently more than thirty museums with mosaic fragments in their collections. However, most of these fragments lack discovery and survey information as detailed records of findings and their architectural integration were rarely made when structures with mosaics were excavated. Archaeologists in charge of excavations often removed small fragments of newly discovered mosaic pavements and sent them as gifts or samples to friends responsible for museum collections. However, these pieces were usually not described, drawn, or photographed, nor were they given an inventory number when included in museum collections. Unfortunately, due to these practices, few written, graphic, or photographic records of these pieces exist today.
Until the mid-20th century, it was common practice to transport mosaics to museums to prevent their disappearance or destruction due to the lack of support for their protection and maintenance in situ. This practice has allowed us to enjoy the beauty of some of these pieces, study them, monitor them, and preserve them for future use.
Most of the archaeological materials, including many mosaic fragments, from the archaeological sites in the area of the Pax Iulia ciuitas, are now housed in the Regional Archaeological Museum of Beja and the Museum of Archaeology of the Castle of Vila Viçosa (Portalegre). The majority of these fragments feature geometric and plant motifs, while some also display interesting figurative motifs. Many of these fragments remain unpublished and have not yet been subject to detailed study. Our study focuses on two figurative mosaics from two archaeological sites in the area of influence of Pax Iulia. One was discovered in Pax Iulia (now known as Beja, in the Portuguese region of Baixo Alentejo) and the other is from the Villa of Monte do Meio, S. Brissos (Beja). Our study aims to analyse these mosaics, as well as examine aspects related to the reports on their findings, the restorations carried out, their conservation, and musealization.}, number={18}, publisher={Bursa Uludağ Üniversitesi}