the Punic Mortar Floors: Its history technique and development

Abstract

This study sheds light on the Punic mortar floors that had been

known in Latin as “Opus Signinum”. These sorts of pavements have

been mentioned in many of the historical and archaeological studies as

a technique of Roman origin. Thus, they were familiar with it since the

middle of the second century B. C. But, some of the ancient classical

art sources as well as the archaeological evidences had proved the

opposite of that belief by confirming that it is a Punic technique in origin.

Furthermore, the Punic Carthaginians had used this kind of technique

during the Punic period since the fourth century B. C. for the purpose of

preparing the floors of their public and private buildings in the Cities of

Utica, Kerkouane and Byrsa.