Kristina DŽIN / Ida KONCANI UHAC / Davor BULIC
(Archaeological Museum of Istria, Pula, Croatia)
During the process of urbanization, heavy construction machinery caused considerable damage to a Roman building complex. Large part of the object, including the mosaic floor decorated with geometric, vegetal and zoomorphic motifs, has been ruined. Archeologists’ intervention saved the object from further damage. All construction work was stopped and protective archeological research began.
The researched object is situated on the coast. It represents merely a part of a luxurious Roman summerhouse. Among the preserved architectonic remains, a water reservoir in the shape of the letter “L” was also unearthed. Most of other known reservoirs found on the Istrian peninsula have elongated rectangular shape, which makes this particular reservoir stand out. Another such-shaped reservoir was recorded at the beginning of the 20th century in Radeki village, 12 km north of Pomer, by the Austrian conservator A. Gnirs. Together with the brackish water source that lies next to it, the reservoir forms the shape of a square.
Other parts of the complex extend into the sea. During underwater research, Roman port was found. Its outer surface was enclosed by large monolith blocks, and its interior was filled with small stones and discarded Roman construction material. Unearthed archeological material: decorative elements (mosaic floors, frescos), construction material ( tegulae, spicae), household articles ( ceramic and glass vessels, amphorae, oil lamps etc.) testifies of a rich economic status enjoyed by the owners of the villa during the Early Imperial period.
Keywords: Roman villa, mosaic, water reservoir, port