Sabratha – A recent report from the English-language Greek Reporter said that Roman bath mosaics in Sabratha have been reburied after years of deterioration. Researchers covered around 150 square meters of delicate mosaic floors at the ancient site to protect them from weather exposure and plant growth.
The protective process involved layers of local soil, sand, and gravel. This method protects the mosaics while allowing for future conservation work if needed. The work took place over five days in April 2025 and was led by British researcher Will Wootton and his team in cooperation with the Department of Antiquities.
The project was part of the Cultural Heritage Management in Libya initiative. The report noted that reburial offers a practical way to preserve the mosaics, even though they are not part of the main tourist path. It also replicates the conditions that helped preserve the mosaics underground for centuries. The approach reduces the cost and labor required to maintain exposed mosaics.
The Roman baths contained rooms for cold, warm, and hot water, arranged according to a carefully planned path. The interiors featured wall paintings, stucco decorations, sculptures, and sophisticated mosaics.
Experts found loose mosaic pieces, known as tesserae, and areas where decorated surfaces had come loose and risen. Some sections of the mosaic were so fragile that simply walking over them could cause collapse. Workers trimmed plants instead of removing their roots, avoiding further damage. The team fenced the site as they prepared for the reburial to strike a balance between conservation and public access.
Researchers documented the condition of the floors before covering them. They placed open-weave plastic mesh over the most fragile areas. Pots made of clay or wood, and arched clay tiles, protected elevated surfaces from the weight of the covering material.
Three layers were added: about 10 centimeters of local soil directly over the mosaics, 35 centimeters of coarse sand, and about 5 centimeters of gravel. In main rooms, the total covering reached about half a meter. The system allows water drainage and restricts plant growth. The protective layers can be removed for future study or restoration.
Not all areas could be treated. Fragile wall mosaics in two pools were left uncovered because suitable support materials were unavailable.
The process required transporting about 76 cubic meters of material, weighing around 122 tons, over several days. The total cost was 18,000 dinars for covering six rooms. About 11 people worked on site each day, including members of the project team, Department of Antiquities staff, university students, and local laborers. The project took about 400 hours over four and a half days.
Researchers described this as the second documented reburial of mosaics in Libya. The project gave local heritage staff practical experience with a conservation technique that can be used at other threatened sites. The team noted that the buried mosaics will need regular monitoring for signs of plant growth, erosion, or drainage issues.
Heavy rain after the intervention did not cause visible problems. However, the experts said reburial is not a permanent solution. The mosaics will still require stabilization if expertise and funding become available in the future.