- Early Christian Art, Graeco-Roman Mosaics and Wall Paintings, Ancient Mosaics, Mosaic Restoration and Conservation, Byzantine Mosaics, Pavement Mosaics, and 19 moreEarly Christian Mosaics, Cultural Heritage Conservation, Art Conservation, Roman Wall Painting, Conservation of Ancient and Historic Wall Paintings, Fresco Paintings, Byzantine art, Late Antiquity, Late Antique Archaeology, Roman Mosaics, Late Antique Art and Archaeology, Early Christianity, Late Antique and Byzantine Studies, Roman Art, Roman Archaeology, Byzantine Iconography, Late Roman Archaeology, Early Christian Archaeology, and Floor Mosaicsedit
The paper aims to present a critical review of the study and conservation of the Episcopal Basilica’s IV-VI AD mural decoration. It is based on a thorough archival research combined with in situ observations and the results of several... more
The paper aims to present a critical review of the study and conservation of the Episcopal Basilica’s IV-VI AD mural decoration. It is based on a thorough archival research combined with in situ observations and the results of several
conservation projects carried out in the past decade.
The data gathered provides a detailed and objective view of what is known, what needs additional research and the lessons learned from the previous treatments, as well as on the impact of national and international multidisciplinary collaboration.
It also provides a solid support for launching an ambitious long-term project for the full-scale conservation and presentation of the painted decoration.
The last century of excavations at Stobi has amassed a huge amount of both published and unpublished data. These act not only as a record of Stobi’s excavation, but also an invaluable account on the shift of trends in methodology in both archaeology and conservation.
conservation projects carried out in the past decade.
The data gathered provides a detailed and objective view of what is known, what needs additional research and the lessons learned from the previous treatments, as well as on the impact of national and international multidisciplinary collaboration.
It also provides a solid support for launching an ambitious long-term project for the full-scale conservation and presentation of the painted decoration.
The last century of excavations at Stobi has amassed a huge amount of both published and unpublished data. These act not only as a record of Stobi’s excavation, but also an invaluable account on the shift of trends in methodology in both archaeology and conservation.
Research Interests: Cultural Heritage Conservation, Early Christian Art, Graeco-Roman Mosaics and Wall Paintings, Protection of cultural heritage, Cultural Heritage and Preservation, and 6 moreFresco, Conservation of wall paintings, Roman Wall Painting, Roman Mosaics and Wall Paintings, History of Architecture and Cultural Heritage Protection Policies and Management, and Conservation and Restoration of Wall Paintings
This paper presents an in-depth analysis of the mosaic floors discovered in the Episcopal Residence of Stobi (previously known as "Casino"), offering insights into the craftsmanship, dating, and distinct mosaic ateliers involved. Opus... more
This paper presents an in-depth analysis of the mosaic floors discovered in the Episcopal Residence of Stobi (previously known as "Casino"), offering insights into the craftsmanship, dating, and distinct mosaic ateliers involved. Opus tessellatum mosaics decorated the floors in the dining rooms and the corridors of the residence, while opus segmentatum mosaics are found in the thermal complex of the building. The tessellatum mosaic floors exhibit striking similarities to those in Stobi's Synagogue II,
Research Interests: Late Antique Archaeology, Late Antiquity, Late Antique Art and Archaeology, Early Christian Art, Late Roman Archaeology, and 8 moreAncient Mosaics, Graeco-Roman Mosaics and Wall Paintings, Early Christian Archaeology, Paleochristian and Late Antique Archaeology, Byzantine art, Wall Paintings, Roman Mosaics, and Opus Sectile
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Major excavation campaigns carried out in the archaeological site of Stobi (Macedonia) in different stages beginning in the 1920s and extending to the 1990s revealed some 500 m2 of mosaics and 100 m2 of wall paintings, pertaining to... more
Major excavation campaigns carried out in the archaeological
site of Stobi (Macedonia) in different
stages beginning in the 1920s and extending to the
1990s revealed some 500 m2 of mosaics and 100
m2 of wall paintings, pertaining to successive early
Christian basilicas and a baptistery. Some of the
overlying mosaics were detached, and others were
removed in consideration of their unstable condition
and lack of protection from the elements.
Although the site was famous for its mosaics, this
resulted in a frustrating situation in which visitors
found these works to be “invisible”. In 2008 the
Government of Macedonia created a National
Institute for management of the site. With the
strategic aim of both conserving the mosaics and
once again making them “visible”, the institution
began a series of projects in 2011. Thus far, 160
m2 of detached mosaics from the Old Basilica
have been remounted and installed recreating the
original floor level. The floors of the baptistery
have been consolidated and are protected under a
shelter. The wall paintings of the Old Basilica and
mosaic floors of the New Basilica have been stabilised,
cleaned and remounted on panels, awaiting
future site installation following development of a
larger structural shelter. The communication and
enjoyment of the site for visitors has been greatly
increased, with positive impacts for tourism.
site of Stobi (Macedonia) in different
stages beginning in the 1920s and extending to the
1990s revealed some 500 m2 of mosaics and 100
m2 of wall paintings, pertaining to successive early
Christian basilicas and a baptistery. Some of the
overlying mosaics were detached, and others were
removed in consideration of their unstable condition
and lack of protection from the elements.
Although the site was famous for its mosaics, this
resulted in a frustrating situation in which visitors
found these works to be “invisible”. In 2008 the
Government of Macedonia created a National
Institute for management of the site. With the
strategic aim of both conserving the mosaics and
once again making them “visible”, the institution
began a series of projects in 2011. Thus far, 160
m2 of detached mosaics from the Old Basilica
have been remounted and installed recreating the
original floor level. The floors of the baptistery
have been consolidated and are protected under a
shelter. The wall paintings of the Old Basilica and
mosaic floors of the New Basilica have been stabilised,
cleaned and remounted on panels, awaiting
future site installation following development of a
larger structural shelter. The communication and
enjoyment of the site for visitors has been greatly
increased, with positive impacts for tourism.
Research Interests:
The mosaics of Archaeological site Stobi have typically been mapped at 1:1 scale on mylar film, however the production process is time consuming and the resulting documents present problems of distortion, management and... more
The mosaics of Archaeological site Stobi have
typically been mapped at 1:1 scale on mylar
film, however the production process is time
consuming and the resulting documents present
problems of distortion, management and communication.
While orthophotography would be
invaluable, it requires considerable investment
to suspend the camera for nadir shots, and the
stitching of the shots presents difficulties. We
instead proposed the technique of georeferenced
photogrammetry as a single form of documentation
maintaining the 1:1 scale from start to
finish, permitting all the subsequent analyses
desired. From 2015 to 2017 extensive trials of
different photogrammetric software were conducted.
A system was ultimately identified that
in a single day could produce high-resolution
orthophotos of the Baptistery mosaic, as well as
3D data accurate to approximately 3mm, useful
for AutoCAD drawings. The collection of
subsequent image sets permits quantification of
changes in the mosaic during and after the conservation
process.
typically been mapped at 1:1 scale on mylar
film, however the production process is time
consuming and the resulting documents present
problems of distortion, management and communication.
While orthophotography would be
invaluable, it requires considerable investment
to suspend the camera for nadir shots, and the
stitching of the shots presents difficulties. We
instead proposed the technique of georeferenced
photogrammetry as a single form of documentation
maintaining the 1:1 scale from start to
finish, permitting all the subsequent analyses
desired. From 2015 to 2017 extensive trials of
different photogrammetric software were conducted.
A system was ultimately identified that
in a single day could produce high-resolution
orthophotos of the Baptistery mosaic, as well as
3D data accurate to approximately 3mm, useful
for AutoCAD drawings. The collection of
subsequent image sets permits quantification of
changes in the mosaic during and after the conservation
process.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
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Research Interests:
The paper is on Macedonian language with English summary.
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Research Interests:
The paper focuses on the project for conservation and restoration of the mosaic from the Old Episcopal basilica in Stobi, which had been removed from its original position in 1991. The aim of the project was to relay the mosaic in situ in... more
The paper focuses on the project for conservation and restoration of the mosaic from the Old Episcopal basilica in Stobi, which had been removed from its original position in 1991. The aim of the project was to relay the mosaic in situ in a way that will provide the best conditions for its further protection and maintenance. Considering the complex conditions in which the mosaic was originally found (four meters below the ground level of the new basilica that was erected at the same place, and surrounded with the foundation walls from that basilica), we decided to build a free standing steel platform that will not affect the statics of other parts of the Episcopal complex. At the same time it will provide protection for the architectural remains discovered in the strata below the mosaic. Relaying the mosaic sections on this platform provides complete air isolation which eliminates all damages that can be caused by moisture, vegetation, microorganisms and salts. The present condition of the mosaic also allows avoiding damages caused by annual reburials of the mosaic and call for much cheaper overall maintenance.
Research Interests:
Our current knowledge on early Christian wall painting is mainly gained through studying catacombs and vaulted tombs, where the largest painted decorative arrangements have been discovered. Contrary to this, in early Christian churches... more
Our current knowledge on early Christian wall painting is mainly gained through studying catacombs and vaulted tombs, where the largest painted decorative arrangements have been discovered. Contrary to this, in early Christian churches and baptisteries it is the mosaic decoration that has survived better in general, while traces of any painted decoration are scarce. In this context, the Old Episcopal basilica and baptistery in Stobi are of immense significance, since they own what is possibly the largest ensemble of paintings dating from the early Christian era. Notwithstanding, the basilica paintings have not been the subject of proper research and only short summaries focusing on some specific aspects have been published in the scientific literature. To address this issue, we considered as necessary to carry out an extensive research, by way of analyzing the technical-technological characteristics of the pain-tings and performing comparative analyses of the materials used. The results of this research will be able to serve as dating indicators of the building and painting phases of the church, which will contribute to-ward chronological determination of all elements of the basilica. In addition, this study will serve as a basis for further research on early Christian paintings and its aspects of iconography, style and symbolism.
Research Interests: Late Antique and Byzantine History, Late Antique Archaeology, Early Christianity, Late Antiquity, Early Christian Art, and 8 moreLate Roman Archaeology, Late Antique Basilicae, Fresco, Conservation of wall paintings, Roman Wall Painting, Early Christian Mosaics, Roman Mosaics and Wall Paintings, and Frescoes
Digital Photogrammetry has a distinct advantage over other 3D recording techniques in archaeology because of its scale independence; the same software can be used at both the object and the site-levels. We show that modern photogrammetric... more
Digital Photogrammetry has a distinct advantage over other 3D recording techniques in archaeology because of its scale independence; the same software can be used at both the object and the site-levels. We show that modern photogrammetric techniques were successfully employed to record a large, reconstructed marble Kantharos, an important part of the Baptistery adjacent to the Episcopal Basilica at Stobi. From this 3D model we can extract cross-sections that would otherwise not be attainable with an object so large using traditional techniques for ceramic profiling. Finally, we point to the utility of Digital Photogrammetry in providing assets for a virtual anastylosis of the Baptistery ahead of the planned physically anastylosis.
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The paper deals with the mosaics from the Early Christian basilica discovered at the site of Manchevci in Ohrid (ancient Lychnidos). The basilica is discovered partially and mosaic floors are found in the central aisle and in the north... more
The paper deals with the mosaics from the Early Christian basilica discovered at the site of Manchevci in Ohrid (ancient Lychnidos). The basilica is discovered partially and mosaic floors are found in the central aisle and in the north annex. According to the iconographic and stylistic features of the mosaics, we can distinguish two different mosaic workshops that created these mosaics during the first half of the 6th century.
Research Interests:
Research Interests: Iconography, Late Antique Archaeology, Early Christianity, Symbolism, Late Antiquity, and 11 moreByzantine Iconography, Late Antique Art and Archaeology, Early Christian Art, Christian Iconography, Ancient Mosaics, Graeco-Roman Mosaics and Wall Paintings, Early Christian Archaeology, Byzantine Mosaics, Roman Mosaics, Early Christian Mosaics, and Early Christian Art and Iconography
The paper deals with the issue of the newly discovered mosaics found in the presbytery, as well as in the north-east annex of the Tetraconchal church at the site of Plaošnik in Ohrid. In that regard, their iconographic and stylistic... more
The paper deals with the issue of the newly
discovered mosaics found in the presbytery, as well
as in the north-east annex of the Tetraconchal church
at the site of Plaošnik in Ohrid. In that regard, their
iconographic and stylistic features, as well as their
existent analogies in the mosaics at Byllis (Albania)
are treated as an argument to the debate of their creation
as a product of the same artistic workshop. The
new data on the recently discovered mosaics given by
this paper do not only complement the existing knowledge,
rather confirm the earlier assumptions that after
having concluded their job at Plaošnik, the mosaic
workshop from Lychnidos also executed the mosaics
in the basilicas of Byllis. Hence, we were able
to give some arguments on the more reliable dating of
the mosaics decorating the Tetraconchal church in the
second or third decade in the 6th century.
discovered mosaics found in the presbytery, as well
as in the north-east annex of the Tetraconchal church
at the site of Plaošnik in Ohrid. In that regard, their
iconographic and stylistic features, as well as their
existent analogies in the mosaics at Byllis (Albania)
are treated as an argument to the debate of their creation
as a product of the same artistic workshop. The
new data on the recently discovered mosaics given by
this paper do not only complement the existing knowledge,
rather confirm the earlier assumptions that after
having concluded their job at Plaošnik, the mosaic
workshop from Lychnidos also executed the mosaics
in the basilicas of Byllis. Hence, we were able
to give some arguments on the more reliable dating of
the mosaics decorating the Tetraconchal church in the
second or third decade in the 6th century.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
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How do you fix your car? How do you change the oil? You are opening and securing the hood with a metal rod, and then you can work without restraint on the engine or do whatever is necessary. The same method can be used to solve problems... more
How do you fix your car? How do you change the oil? You are opening and securing the hood with a metal rod, and then you can work without restraint on the engine or do whatever is necessary. The same method can be used to solve problems during in situ mosaic conservation.
The aim of this poster is to show several examples of the use of this experimental technique on mosaic conservation from the Episcopal residence, the Baptistery, and the House of Parthenius in Stobi, Macedonia.
The aim of this poster is to show several examples of the use of this experimental technique on mosaic conservation from the Episcopal residence, the Baptistery, and the House of Parthenius in Stobi, Macedonia.
Research Interests:
A century of archaeological and conservation work at Stobi has amassed a huge amount of both published and unpublished data. This vast record gives invaluable evidence of the history of both archaeology and conservation in the area.... more
A century of archaeological and conservation work at Stobi has amassed a huge amount of both published and unpublished data. This vast record gives invaluable evidence of the history of both archaeology and conservation in the area. Processing the data on the Episcopal complex could provide a continuous, detailed and objective view of past practices and the lessons learned from all previous treatments, as well as the impact of a national and international multidisciplinary collaboration.
This would in turn provide solid ground for any future collaboration in the study and the
conservation of this exceptional monument.
This would in turn provide solid ground for any future collaboration in the study and the
conservation of this exceptional monument.