The Ancient Mosaics of Ephesus

The presentation of the ancient mosaics of Ephesus must be seen as a very important contribution to the art history of ancient Asia Minor. It is to give new momentum to the systematic examination of the mosaics in present day Turkey. The investigations into the mosaics in terrace house 2 have been finished and so the ideal time for further research on Ephesian mosaics has come. A basis for this project is provided by the huge material which was collected by Werner Jobst between 1970 and 1985 and which asks for publication. Mosaics are to be found in Ephesus in public, private and sacred buildings that were erected between the 1st - 6th centuries AD. In order to work on the material it seems to be necessary to distinguish between a group of imperial mosaics (1 st - 3rd c. AD) and such monuments that date from the late antique-early byzantine period (3 rd - 6th c. AD). The mosaics will be presented in a monography, consisting of a catalogue and an interpretative text. The criteria of the catalogue follow international guidelines [place of finding, place of keeping, state of preservation, measures of restoration, specific description (bedding, material, size and colour of the tesserae), description of patterns, criteria of date]. If possible the geometric and floral patterns will be identified according to the "Répertoire graphique et descriptif. Le décor géométrique de la mosaque romaine I-II (2002)". The examination of the Ephesian mosaics provides a chance to enlarge this Répertoire for further patterns. The research will draw comprehensive comparisons with the mosaics of the Roman Empire, with special consideration to the surrounding of Ephesus, to other sites of Western Asia Minor as well as to the Greek islands offshore Asia Minor. Special attention will be given to the comparison of the individual mosaics in the city of Ephesus, as we may expect to get from them further information about individual workshops. For the identification of workshops supportive examinations of the material will be made. Rock samples will be taken from special pavements, which will give information about the geological origin and transport of the stones.

The presentation of the ancient mosaics of Ephesus must be seen as a very important contribution to the art history of ancient Asia Minor. It is to give new momentum to the systematic examination of the mosaics in present day Turkey. The investigations into the mosaics in terrace house 2 have been finished and so the ideal time for further research on Ephesian mosaics has come. A basis for this project is provided by the huge material which was collected by Werner Jobst between 1970 and 1985 and which asks for publication. Mosaics are to be found in Ephesus in public, private and sacred buildings that were erected between the 1st - 6th centuries AD. In order to work on the material it seems to be necessary to distinguish between a group of imperial mosaics (1 st - 3rd c. AD) and such monuments that date from the late antique-early byzantine period (3 rd - 6th c. AD). The mosaics will be presented in a monography, consisting of a catalogue and an interpretative text. The criteria of the catalogue follow international guidelines [place of finding, place of keeping, state of preservation, measures of restoration, specific description (bedding, material, size and colour of the tesserae), description of patterns, criteria of date]. If possible the geometric and floral patterns will be identified according to the "Répertoire graphique et descriptif. Le décor géométrique de la mosaque romaine I-II (2002)". The examination of the Ephesian mosaics provides a chance to enlarge this Répertoire for further patterns. The research will draw comprehensive comparisons with the mosaics of the Roman Empire, with special consideration to the surrounding of Ephesus, to other sites of Western Asia Minor as well as to the Greek islands offshore Asia Minor. Special attention will be given to the comparison of the individual mosaics in the city of Ephesus, as we may expect to get from them further information about individual workshops. For the identification of workshops supportive examinations of the material will be made. Rock samples will be taken from special pavements, which will give information about the geological origin and transport of the stones.