A Theoretical Framework for the Study of Romano–British Villa Mosaics

Abstract

Studies of Romano-British villa mosaics have tended to be restricted to description, classification and typological survey. Little attempt has been made to go beyond the ordering of data, to consider the relationship between the mosaics, the villa, and the nature of the society itself. The aim of this paper will be to outline a new theoretical framework for the interpretation of villa mosaics. This framework involves a consideration of the nature and ‘meaning’ of the designs; the relationship between the mosaics and their architectural context; the effect of the social position of the interpreter on meaning; and finally, the significance of the mosaics in the broader historical context. It will be suggested that such a framework could provide new and deeper insight into the nature of social relations and material practices within Roman Britain.