HISTORICAL

EVOLUTION

AND

MOSAICS

TECHNIQUE

HISTORICAL SUMMARY

The making of mosaics is a very ancient artistic expression, which appeared in numerous continents: Peruvian or Mexican mosaics in turquoise, jade, gold, pearls or shells in the pre-Columbian period; jade mosaics in China during the Han dynasty (150-113 a.C.); mosaics made of turtles, shells and feathers in Oceania; mosaics made of pearls and shells in Africa; mosaics made of terra cotta in Afghanistan...

Some archaeological researchers have discovered important remnants -important both in quantity and quality- dating from the Sumerian period (III millenary BC). Other populations from the Antique period used mosaics: in Greece and Sicily, from the V century BC, mosaics on pavements with figurative or geometrical designs have been found. They were first made of pebbles and later cubic stones. During the Alexandrine period, mosaics were highly prevalent in countries of Hellenic culture.

Then, Roman Art flourished and influenced the mosaics technique from the II century BC. Mosaics were then diffused throughout the Empire's provinces. The classic Roman mosaics, in their different periods and aspects continued to be used until the VI century AD.