Date:

Dolphin mosaic discovery is part of an expansive Roman villa complex

Archaeologists from OÖ Landes-Kultur GmbH and the University of Salzburg have uncovered an expansive Roman villa complex on Reinberg hill in Thalheim bei Wels, Austria.

The villa overlooked the ancient city of Ovilava, a municipium in the Roman province of Noricum. Ovilava was elevated to colonia status and renamed Colonia Aurelia Antoniana Ovilabis, and later, it became the capital of the newly established province of Noricum Ripensis.

- Advertisement -

Excavations began in 2023 and have so far uncovered over 1,000 square metres of the complex, along with three well-preserved mosaic floors. The most notable of these features an aquatic scene depicting two dolphins appearing to swim through water.

According to experts, the mosaic dates from the 2nd century AD and is an “absolute rarity” for Upper Austria, providing a unique insight into the artistry enjoyed by the regions Roman elite.

Image Credit : OÖ Landes-Kultur GmbH

Another mosaic displays an intricate depiction of a wine mixing vessel, while the third, still only partially excavated, features geometric patterns.

“The mosaics of Thalheim demonstrate once again the impressive cultural treasures our country contains,” said Governor Thomas Stelzer (ÖVP). He pointed to Upper Austria’s long history of settlement and its visible traces, for example, along the Danube Limes and in the Hallstatt region.

- Advertisement -

Plans for a permanent display of the finds are already underway. The mosaics may be incorporated into the newly designed archaeology exhibition at the Linz Castle Museum, with inclusion in the Wels State Garden Show in 2027 also being considered.

Header Image Credit : OÖ Landes-Kultur GmbH

Sources : OÖ Landes-Kultur GmbH

- Advertisement -

Stay Updated: Follow us on iOS, Android, Google News, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Threads, TikTok, LinkedIn, and our newsletter

spot_img
Mark Milligan
Mark Milligan
Mark Milligan is a multi-award-winning journalist and the Managing Editor at HeritageDaily. His background is in archaeology and computer science, having written over 8,000 articles across several online publications. Mark is a member of the Association of British Science Writers (ABSW), the World Federation of Science Journalists, and in 2023 was the recipient of the British Citizen Award for Education, the BCA Medal of Honour, and the UK Prime Minister's Points of Light Award.
spot_img
spot_img

Mobile Application

spot_img

Related Articles

5,000-year-old Dolmen complex discovered in Teba

Archaeologists from the University of Cádiz have discovered a monumental dolmen complex dating back more than 5,000-years-ago in the Spanish town of Teba in Malaga.

Archaeologists search for missing WWII Pilot at P-47 crash site in Essex

A six-week recovery project is underway in North Essex to investigate the crash site of a US Army Air Forces P-47 Thunderbolt that went down during World War II.

Megalith “dragon stones” were likely part of an ancient water cult

A new study, published in the journal npj suggests that the mysterious dragon stones found across the highlands of Armenia may relate to water veneration practices of communities over six millennia ago.

Archaeologists investigate sacred Piedra Letra monument

Archaeologists from the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) have conducted a study of Piedra Letra, located on a hill overlooking Huehuetónoc in the Mexican state of Guerrero.

Monument linked to Iberian star mythology discovered in Jódar

Archaeologists from the Research Institute for Iberian Archaeology (IAI) at the University of Jaén (UJA) have discovered a monument connected to the sun and other celestial bodies within Iberian mythology.

Project is restoring Costa Rica’s mysterious stone spheres

A joint team of specialists from Costa Rica and Mexico are restoring three stone spheres at the Finca 6 Museum Site in Palmar de Osa.

Inscription sheds light on First Emperor’s quest for immortality

China’s First Emperor, Qin Shi Huang, was born in 259 BC in Handan, the capital of Zhao. He was originally named Ying Zheng, or Zhao Zheng, with ‘Zheng’ drawn from Zhengyue, the first month of the Chinese lunar calendar.

Artefacts from Battle of Dubienka unearthed near Uchanie

On July 18th, 1792, Polish forces under General Tadeusz Kościuszko clashed with Russian troops in what became one of the defining engagements of the Polish-Russian War.