The art of mosaics had a long and colourful history in the ancient world. The first mosaics were made by prehistoric people who decorated the handles of their tools with small bits of coloured stone. In later periods, mosaic artists used new materials and new techniques to produce the graceful mosaic pavements of the Greek and Roman worlds.

With the creation of the brilliantly coloured religious mosaics of the Byzantine period, the art of mosaics reached its highest point. In this volume of the Lerner Archaeology Series, the history of mosaic art is considered from the point of view of the archaeologist. The author, an expert in the study of ancient mosaics, explains the various ways in which mosaic pavements have survived the ravages of time with their subtle colours and beautiful images undisturbed.

In tracing the development of mosaic art, he describes such famous ancient mosaics as the hunting scenes found at the Macedonian capital of Pella, the Darius-and Alexander mosaic from Pompeii, and the magnificent wall mosaics in the churches of Ravenna and Constantinople.