Spanish archaeologists unearthed over 4,000 fragments of wall paintings that once decorated the Roman villa of Barberes Sud in the town of Villajoyosa. By restoring and reassembling the painted pieces, conservators are beginning to reveal the rich decoration of the stately Roman residence, which dates back to the 2nd century CE. The discovery offers interesting new insights into Roman art and culture in the region.
New Findings at the Roman Villa of Barberes Sud
Earlier excavations in the area uncovered several Roman villa complexes, necropolises, and parts of a port known as the Playa de la Vila. These archaeological findings likely belonged to the ancient Roman settlement of Alonis, which experts believe was a commercial and industrial hub situated in Villajoyosa, Spain.
The region’s latest excavation campaign has focused on the large Roman villa of Barberes Sud. The site is located alongside a major highway connecting Alonis with the modern-day Marina Baixa region along the Spanish coast. The foundations of Barberes Sud date back to the reign of Emperor Trajan, between 98 and 117 CE, at the pinnacle of the Roman Empire’s power and prosperity.
Archaeologists have determined the impressive floor plan of the Barberes Sud villa complex, which comprises domestic living spaces and a sprawling open-air garden area, which was once enclosed by columns and bordered by lavishly decorated reception rooms. The complex also featured a large courtyard with several rooms designated for servants.
Reassembly Reveals Ancient Roman Decoration
Get the latest articles delivered to your inbox
Sign up to our Free Weekly Newsletter
The walls of the reception rooms at Barberes Sud were constructed with compacted clay during the 2nd century CE. Because these walls have since collapsed inward, their surface decorations were discovered in small fragments. Archaeologists carefully extracted and preserved each piece of painted plaster. Then, work began on the consolidation and reconstruction of murals that once decorated the Roman residence.
The wall fragments were numbered and photogrammetrically recorded before being removed from the Barberes Sud excavation site. This process will allow experts to partially reconstruct the original murals. One reassembled panel, comprising 22 fragments, revealed an ornate composition of plant garlands and birds topped with decorative molding. The remaining fragments are still being inventoried and restored. Among them are curved stucco pieces designed to imitate fluted columns.
