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xoverthirtyx t1_is3ml5q wrote

Always wild to think about how an entire building important enough to have a mosaic floor of that quality was built there and eventually disappeared under 8 ft of earth. Like, how?

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AnonymousPerson1115 t1_is3mzz3 wrote

It is in an arid environment that more than likely has dust storms and being abandoned for thousands of years will lead to it being covered up.

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ThatMightBeTheCase t1_is49ql5 wrote

I don’t think he was asking how it happened, as in what steps did nature take to cover it up.

He meant how did something so important get so neglected.

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bjerh t1_is4bp9s wrote

Theres hardly any dedicated postal offices in Denmark left.

Sometimes stuff just outlives their importance.

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Vindy500 t1_is72lv2 wrote

And have the building been emptied and are getting slowly buried? Or have they been repurposed?

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Constant_Building969 t1_is93go7 wrote

My guess (as a super baby amateur historian) is Rome had ways to bring water, wine, beer and food long distances. This might’ve been too far, after the fall of the Roman Empire, to supply and eventually the pretty mosaic and big house didn’t matter so much as living near water and safe civilization.

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Tiako t1_is82u4v wrote

Plenty of crumbling mansions to be found anywhere.

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luckykrys t1_is4ir8u wrote

I imagine mosaic floors were common enough at one point people didn't particularly think to try to preserve them. They fell out of fashion and people intentionally covered them up like painting over ugly wallpaper in an old home. Maybe an elderly, disabled, or particularly lonely person, last of their family, last owner of the building, wasn't able to really keep the floor clean. Once enough dirt collected, no one would be the wiser after the last person to know died.

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Igoka t1_is5rdj7 wrote

Ahh, the old, "Why did they cover up hardwood with carpet!?" argument.

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luckykrys t1_is6egtt wrote

Not too long ago there was a picture getting passed around of a city building undergoing exterior renovations. When construction pulled the 1950ish exterior off they found forgotten, beautiful mouldings from 1900ish underneath. New generations are always going to want to replace/cover up the decorations/style of the previous generations.

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Ferengi_Earwax t1_is5zs0n wrote

Pretty much most stone buildings of any status had mosaic floors. They're everywhere. Of course most aren't beautiful scenes and are checkered or patterned into squares.

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MeatballDom t1_is3c5ja wrote

A quick reminder to our users to make sure they are familiar with our rules, especially rule 2: no current politics/soapboxing, and rule 5: keep discussions to events that happened over 20 years ago.

The article additionally mentions some recent events, but this subreddit isn't the place to discuss those. Reach us through modmail if you have any questions. - Mod Team

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MonarchistParty t1_isjbetd wrote

Discovered in the ruins of Al-Rastan, an ancient Syrian city, earlier this week, it is measured at 120 square meters (1,300 square feet).

The mosaic is said to be 1,600 years old and depicts mythological figures, and also rare panels depicting the Trojan War.

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