Domvs Romana

The Roman domus is a Roman-era house just outside the walls of Mdina, Malta. The building dates back to the last half of 2nd century BC.^[1] As in other buildings of the same period, its pavements incorporate mosaic compositions which are comparable to those of Pompeii and Sicily. This museum was one of the very first to be opened to the public in Malta.^{[citation needed]}

The area of the domus was also used as a burial ground during the Muslim period. A number of built graves were uncovered in that area of Medina.^[2]

The best features of this domus are its well-made polychrome mosaics found in the Peristyle and the surrounding rooms. Two types of tesserae were employed: opus vermiculatum, in the centre of the pavement; opus tessellatum, larger tesserae to create three-dimensional designs all around the main image. The picture sought to imitate a highly popular motif which may be fist painted by an artist from Sophos^[3]. The domus also shows fine painted wall plaster imitating coloured marbles and showing partly stylized architectural elements which would place them somewhere between the 1st and 2nd Pompeian Styles. Bath accessories, statues and amphorae complete the display of this site.

References

1. ^ Bonanno, Anthony (1992). Roman Malta, the Archaeological Heritage of the Maltese Islands. 
2. ^ Depasquale, Sue. The Domus Romana site catalogue. 
3. ^ "Heritage Malta Museums". Heritage Malta. http://www.heritagemalta.org/museums/warmuseum/warmuseuminfo.html. Retrieved 15 March 2010.