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Estudios sobre mosaicos antiguos y medievales.

Actas del XIII Congreso AIEMA Madrid, 14-18 de septiembre de 2015
Luz Neira, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (dirección y coordinación)

Estudios sobre mosaicos antiguos y medievales.

(Hispania Antigua, Serie Arqueológica, 6)

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Atti del XIII Congreso Internacional de la AIEMA.

“Estudios sobre mosaicos antiguos y medievales” Luz Neira Jiménez (Ed.).
- Roma: «L’ERMA» di BRETSCHNEIDER, 2016. - 478 p. : ill. ; 29 cm.

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Detalle de Selene y Endimión. Foto, cortesía de José Manuel Pedrosa.
Estudios sobre mosaicos
antiguos y medievales
Luz Neira Jiménez
Editora

«L’ERMA» di BRETSCHNEIDER
Newly discovered Early Christian Mosaics
from Ulpiana / Kosovo

Halûk Çetinkaya

The ancient city of Ulpiana is approximately 12 kms from the city centre of Prishtina, capital city of Kosovo, and
2 kms from the nearby town Gračanica.

The site of Ulpiana was believed to be settled prior to the Roman arrival. During first years of archaeological exca-
vations it was claimed to be a Prehistoric settlement. (Čerškov 1959-1960,376) Basing on pottery analysis it has
been proved that Ulpiana was settled in 1st century A.C.E. by Romans. Alas, no data was obtained to identify the
name of the settlement. (Fidanovski 1990,31) One of the most important factors for the site of Ulpiana must have
been mining activities in the region. There are mines which have been exploited as early as Prehistoric period. The
region was well known of its mines of silver and gold during Roman period.(Gassmann–Körlin 2011,128) Ulpiana
was founded by the emperor Marcus Ulpius Traianus (reigned between 98-117 A.C.E.) and named after him. It
must have been damaged by the invasions of Huns (Petković 2003/2004,241) and Goths in the middle of the 5th
century A.C.E. (Iordanis 285-286) Ulpiana must have been affected by the earthquake of 517/518. (Marcellinus
1Sept.517-31 Aug.518) After this earthquake, damaged city walls were pulled down by Justinian I. He refounded
the city under the name of Iustiniana Secunda. (Prokopios IV i 28-30) It was suggested that after the invasion of
the Slavs in 618 Ulpiana was uninhabited.(Parović-Pešikan 1981,57-58; Fidanovski 1990,7-9).

Archaeological excavations begun in 1953 continued with intervals throughout 20th century. Most of mosaics were
discovered during first years of excavations. Alas only small portions of them survived. Although main subject of
this article is to provide information about the newly discovered mosaics, it is worth mentioning earlier discoveries
as well. There were four areas of mosaics prior to our discovery.

Church on Northern cemetery

In the church near Northern city gates

House near Northern city gates

Villa in the Southeastern part of the city.

Mosaics in the church at Northern cemetery

During the excavations of 1954, graves, which were believed to be from 4th century, were discovered underneath a
church dated by the excavators to 6th century. Floor mosaics with geometrical patterns and dedicatory inscription
in Latin was unearthed near the entrance. Mosaics were dated to the first half of 4th century. (Popović-Čerškov
1956,326) In later years of excavations there is no mention about this mosaic and hence it could be taken that it
was not preserved.

Church near Northern city gates

Church, which was discovered in 1956 was dated by the excavators to 6th century. It had five phases. (Popo-
vić-Čerškov 1956,323). The oldest phase had dark grey and white floor mosaics and dated to the first half of 4th
century. (Popović-Čerškov 1956,326) Although there is mention of floor mosaics around the apse in the church,
neither photos nor drawings of them have been published. (Popović-Čerškov 1956,323) Because of unproportioned
look of the apse I suggested that this was not its original place and it should have been further east. To test this
hypothesis, Kosovo Archaeological Institute personnel carried out a sounding outside the apse at its northeast and

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 Halûk Çetinkaya

found floor mosaics. Instead of continuing and determining the limits of the apse and floor mosaics this work was
halted for unknown reasons.

House near Northern city gates

This house is located between the Northern city gates and the church nearby. Underneath one of its rooms mosaics
have been found. They were dated to 4th century, same as in the church near Northern city gates. (Čerškov-Popović
1958,277) On top of mosaics part of hypocaust was discovered, due to this, this structure was considered to be a
bath. Although it was considered to be a bath, given the size of hypocaust it could belong to a house.

Villa in southeastern part of the city

Excavations of this site was done during infrastructural works in 1966. Finds, including mosaics were mentioned
shortly. According to the excavator mosaics discovered on this site was dated to the age of Constantine I. (Čerškov
1969,121)

For years whereabouts of this site remained obscure. It was rediscovered in 1982. (Cvetković-Tomašević 1983,17-
18) During new excavations three coloured mosaics with geometrical patterns were discovered. The only figurative
mosaics were birds including a peacock whose photograph was published after earlier excavations. Because of
the orientation of the structure, which was west-east, it was suggested that this could have been a basilical church.
(Cvetković-Tomašević 1983,80) Which must be approached with caution after new campaign of excavations,
mosaics were dated to the second half of 4th century this time.(Cvetković-Tomašević 1983,94) Interestingly,
geometrical patterns and workmanship is equal to the ones we discovered in the main church of the city.

Discovery of Early Christian baptistery, church and mosaics

First Turkish excavation in Europe commenced under my direction in 2012. In 2012 an octogonal baptistery was
discovered. (Fig. 1) Since it was the norm to have the main church of the city located next to or in the vicinity of
the baptistery (Fletcher 1924:208) our focus has shifted to locate the main church. As excavations were carried
out north of baptistery in 2013, two parallel walls, which belong to the main church, were unearthed. Later, a two
phased church with the dimensions of approximately 20 x 40 metres was unearthed between 2013-2015. This was
a church in the form of a basilica. It has two side aisles and a nave which ends with a single apse in the east with
the traces of a synthronon. There is no atrium. (Fig. 2)
The First church was built in mid 4th century and destroyed by an earthquake soon afterwards in the same century.
This earthquake could be the one on 28 August 358 with the epicentre of Nicomedia and destructing large parts
of Macedonia. (Guidoboni et al.1994,255-259) The Second church was constructed at the same site in the first
quarter of 5th century. It was approximately 1 metre narrower on northern and southern parts each. No inscription

Fig. 1. Baptistery. Fig. 2. Church of Ss Florus and Laurus ?.

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 Newly discovered Early Christian Mosaics from Ulpiana / Kosovo

Fig. 3. Brick and mortar cover on mosaics. Fig. 4. Depiction of birds and krateroi.

concerning its dedication was found. But since the twin brothers Florus and Laurus were martyred here, it is safe
to suggest that this church was dedicated to them. The stonesmith twin brothers from Constantinople were dumped
into a deep well once it was discovered that they were christians. This incident most probably took place in the 2nd
century. (Delehaye et al. 1940,345 ff) The twin martyrs / brothers were not forgotten and respected in the following
centuries. Their sculls were kept in one of the imperial monasteries of Constantinople, namely Pantokrator, in
14th and 15th centuries.(Majeska 1984,42/152/162/186/290/293) Their fame continued in Russia as the healers
of horses in the following centuries among the farmers in particular. (Hohlova 2009,209) Upon discovering the
church near Northern city gate, it was considered to be the one dedicated to the martyrs, hence it was named so.
(Hoxhaj 2000/2001,4-7) On the other hand this is overruled with our excavations. Main candidate for the church
of Florus and Laurus is the one we discovered.

During construction of the Second church at the beginning of 5th century, floor mosaics of the 4th century church,
which were partly discovered in 2013, were covered instead of being restored, probably due to lack of funds,
masters or time. Different covering material and technique occurred in several parts of the church. In most sections
it was simply a mortar, containing large amounts of crushed brick, hence similar to hydraulic mortar. The area
around templon must have been deeper than the rest, in order to level the floor, a layer of bricks, approximately 4
cms in thickness, was laid. On top of it a thin layer of same kind of mortar which was used in the rest of building
was applied. (Fig. 3)

First group of mosaics were discovered in southern aisle of the church in 2013. As excavations continued, more
were found along southern aisle later to followed by the ones in the southern section of the narthex. Mosaics in
southern part of narthex were best protected. Mosaics have geometrical patterns except for a small section in the
southern aisle which has two birds next to two krateroi. (Fig. 4) Patterns include: scale, maeander, oblong irregular
hexagon, triangle, cross, swastika. Mosaics were made of lime stone, except for pink-red which is made of baked
clay. Approximate size of tesserae is 14 x 16 mms. According to laboratory analysis, tesserae contain Ca, Mn, Fe,
Ag, Si. (Sasaki 2015) There are basically five colours, the rest are shades of those colours. Colours are: White,
red, black, brown and green. Other than geometrical patterns there are also inscriptions. There are 22 inscriptions
in mosaics. These are written in Latin and dedicatory in nature. They were located on southern and northern aisles
and narthex. Most of the dedicatory inscriptions were discovered in northern aisle. The longest inscription is next
to the main entrance of the church at narthex. This inscription survived partially. It has the term “comes”. This
word was used as a term of nobility in Late antiquity. In the meantime it was used as governor and the commander
of the army. Considering the importance of the army in the area and their camp in the vicinity this might have
been the dedication of the army commander in the city. Location of this inscription indicates importance and
involvement of the army in church construction. Among other inscriptions, which are all dedicatory, two of them
deserve special mention. These inscriptions did not reach our time fully. Basing on the legible letters suggestions
concerning its content can be made. At two different places a female name which is either the same woman or
coincidence, occur. [M]AX[E]NTIA. Together with her name the term PROSE[LITA] is used. If missing letters
are as I suggested, then these are female converts who sponsored part of mosaic works.

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 Halûk Çetinkaya

Fig. 5. Mosaic with cross patterns and dedicatory inscriptions. Lám. 12 Fig. 6. Mosaics in the church of Ss. Florus and Laurus ?.

Other legible names are: [ALE]XANDER, VALENTIA[NVS], [DO]METIANVS, [S]ABAS, [M]ARCELLINVS,

IOHANNES, [M]ARTI[US]or [M]ARTI [ANVS], [M]ARCISSINVS, [M]ARTIN[VS], FELL[I]NICVS,

One of them is son of IOHANNES since it is written as FLIOHANNES. On another example [S]ABAS son of
MAX[IMVS] or MAX[ENTIVS] occur as [S]ABASFIL MAX.

Dedicatory inscriptions are in the form of “PRO VOTO FECIT” or “CVM SVIS PRO VOTO”.

Forms of letters and geometrical patterns are exactly same as in the church of Northern cemetery and villa in
southeastern part of the city, both of which were dated to 4th century. In our case mosaics were also dated to 4th
century with the help of coins. Mosaics must have been made between 320’s-350’s.

One of the most important pattern on mosaics is the cross. Although a date for mosaics was suggested, a terminus
post quem could also be applied since there was a ban on depicting crosses on the floor by Theodosius II in 427
(Krueger-Mommsen 1872,I-8-1). Mosaics with crosses were mostly in northern aisle (Fig. 5) except for a small
portion in the southern aisle.

Basing on our excavations main church of the city of Ulpiana, namely Ss. Florus and Laurus, and baptistery were
discovered. Mosaics on the floor of the two phased church indicate early arrival of Christianity to the region.
Mosaics we discovered cover the largest area in Ulpiana. (Fig. 6) Soon after Christianity gained recognition,
Ulpiana was flourishing. Religious and non-religious buildings with expensive mosaics are the clear indicators
of this period. Several names of donors in the church of Ss. Florus and Laurus can either be due to lack of very
wealthy individuals or it should be taken as a very prestigious race to contribute to the new religion and gain a
higher status in society.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Ancient Sources

Iordanis (1882): Romana et Getica, ed. Theodorus Mommsen, Berolini.

Marcellinus (1995): The Chronicle of Marcellinus, tr. Brian Croke, Sydney.

Prokopiou Kaisareos (1954): Peri Ktismaton, tr. H. B. Dewing, London.

Ptolemaei (1883): C. Geographika, tr. Carolus Müllerus, vol. I., Parisiis.

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 Newly discovered Early Christian Mosaics from Ulpiana / Kosovo

Modern Sources

Berisha, M. (2007): Kosova short archaeological guide, Prishtinë.

Bošković, Ð. (1926/27): “Rimske Ruševine kod Gračanice”. Starinar 4.

Čerškov, E., Popović, L. (1958): Ulpiana-Kratak izveštaj o arheološkim istraživanjima u 1958 g. Glasnik Muzeja
Kosova i Metohije III .

Čerškov, E.
- (1959-1960): Ulpiana-Kratak izveštaj o arheološkim istraživanjima u 1959 god. Glasnik Muzeja Kosova i
Metohije IV-V.
- (1969): Rimljani na Kosovu i Metohiji, Beograd.

Cvetković-Tomašević,G. (1983): Ulpiana, arheološka iskopavanja u središtu i južnom delu antičkog grada,
Saopštenja, XV.

Delehaye, H. (1940): Propylaeum ad Acta Santorum Decembris, eds. Hippolytus Delehaye-Paulo Peeters-Mauritio
Coens-Balduinus de Gaiffier- Pauus Grosjean-Fanciscus Halkin”, Bruxellis.

Fidanovski, S. (1990): Rimska Keramika Ulpijane, Beograd.

Fletcher, B. (1924): A history of architecture on the comparative method for students, craftsmen and amateurs,
New York.

Gassmann, G., Körlin G. (2011): “Roman non-ferrous and noble metal mining in Kosovo”. In International
Conference Archaeometallurgy in Europe III abstracts, yay. Andreas Hauptmann, Diana Modarressi-Tehrani,
Michael Prange, Bochum.

Guidoboni, E., Comastri A., Traina G. (1994): Catalogue of ancient earthquakes in the Mediterranean area up
to the 10th century, Roma.

Hoxhaj, E. (2000/2001): “Die frühchristliche dardanische Stadt Ulpiana und ihr Verhältnis zu Rom”, Südost-For-
schungen 59/60.

Krueger, P., Mommsen,T. (1872): Corpus Iuris Civilis, vol.I, Berolini.

Majeska, G. P. (1984): Russian travelers to Constantinople in the Fourteenth and Fifteenth centuries, Washington.

Parović-Pešikan, M. (1981): “Antička Ulpijana prema dosadšnjim istraživanjima”. Starinar 32.

Petković, S. (2003/2004): “Roman fibulae from Ulpiana”. Starinar 53/54

Popović, L., Čerškov, E. (1956): Ulpiana-Prethodni izveštaj o arheološkim istraživanjim od 1954 do 1956 god.
Glasnik Muzeja Kosova i Metohije I.

Sasaki, J. (2015): Osaka Central Laboratory analysis results. Osaka

Halûk Çetinkaya - Independent Researcher

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 Lám. 12

Halûk Çetinkaya

Fig. 5. Mosaic with cross patterns and dedicatory inscriptions.

Véronique Blanc-Bijon Emine Tok

Fig 1. Jabaliyeh. Maquette du complexe ecclésiastique (del. B. Fig. 6. Fragments of the nave floor pavement.
Gillain).