Pavimenti a ciottoli di età tardo-classica ed ellenistica (IV-I secolo A.C.) dalla Basilicata (Italia): proposta di classificazione tipologica

The late Classical and Hellenistic pebble floors attested in southern Italy are of the greatest interest as they document the originality of the pre-Roman mosaic culture. To date, however, there has been no detailed study aimed at defining their specific characteristics and chronological development. Basilicata, a region that has always been an important crossroad of different cultures because of its geographical position, presents an ideal case study of this category of pavements. There are about twenty pebble floors from this region representing different types of execution: from those that refer back to the Classical Greek tradition, to the more experimental designs of indigenous craftsmanship (4th-3rd centuries BC). The latter were at first influenced by traditional styles, but later resulted in interesting new models until the beginning of the 1sentury BC. In this paper we propose a typological classification of these works; which important since very little is known of these mosaics. Furthermore, we use a more rigorous scientific approach – already undertaken and established for other pavement types – that can be useful for categorizing such production in other areas of the Italian and Mediterranean world.