Archaeologists uncovered an extraordinary Roman villa complex on Reinberg Hill at Thalheim bei Wels, Austria, containing three well-preserved mosaic floors that shed new light on Alpine Roman culture. The discovery, released by a joint team from OÖ Landes-Kultur GmbH and the University of Salzburg, is presented as one of Upper Austria’s most significant recent archaeological finds.
The site overlooks the ancient Roman city of Ovilava—now Wels—which had been dignified with the prestigious title of Colonia Aurelia Antoniana Ovilabis and was the capital of the Roman province of Noricum Ripensis. Excavations began in 2023 and have so far revealed over 1,000 square meters of what experts assume was an urban villa belonging to a wealthy Roman family.
What a find. Three mosaic floors offer a rare and visually beautiful window into Roman upper-class artistic culture. Among them, the centerpiece is a mosaic of two dolphins swimming through stylized waves, a motif rarely seen this far north of the Mediterranean.
A second mosaic depicts a krater—a large vessel used for mixing wine—rendered in incredible detail with curved handles and intricate lines. The third, partially uncovered, mosaic consists of symmetrical geometric patterns that suggest a refined aesthetic sensibility on the part of the villa’s earliest occupants.
The artworks, estimated to have been made in the 2nd century CE, are considered strong confirmation of the widespread Romanization of the region and the luxurious lifestyle of the imperial-era inhabitants of the region.
Governor Thomas Stelzer also visited the site, expressing his admiration for the discovery. “The Thalheim mosaics once again demonstrate the wonderful cultural treasures our country contains.”
The mosaics will be open to the public on an Open Excavation Day on June 10, starting at 1:00 p.m., when the site will be open for tours. Another glimpse into the discovery and the history behind it will be offered at a lecture evening called “News from Science & Research,” which will be held on June 25 at the OK Linz.
Plans are already underway to incorporate the mosaics into the newly designed archaeology exhibition at the Linz Castle Museum (Schlossmuseum Linz), which is currently being restored.
More information: OÖ Landes-Kultur GmbH
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