A Roman mosaic dating to the first half of the third century A.D. has been discovered beneath Écija City Hall in southern Spain, adding to the city’s extensive collection of ancient decorated floors.
Archaeologists uncovered about 40 square meters, or 430 square feet, of the mosaic during excavations in the basement of the historic building in the province of Seville. The discovery follows other major finds from Roman Spain, where archaeological work continues to uncover evidence of life under Roman rule.
Twenty mosaics have been discovered in Écija over the past 25 years, with about 400 square meters, or 4,300 square feet, preserved.
Sergio García-Dils, Écija’s municipal archaeologist, explained that the surviving sections represent only part of what once existed. He estimates the original mosaics covered about 1,000 square meters, or nearly 10,800 square feet.
Excavations beneath City Hall began in April and remain underway. García-Dils and his team investigated about 250 square meters, or nearly 2,700 square feet.
Roman baths and pottery emerge beneath City Hall
Along with the mosaic, archaeologists uncovered Roman baths and foundations that once supported large columns. Similar Roman bath complexes have provided evidence of sophisticated architecture across the empire.
The team also recovered about 2,000 pottery fragments. Researchers used the pottery to date the mosaic to the first half of the third century. Pottery has also helped researchers reconstruct life at other Roman settlements in Spain, including the ancient mining city of Mellaria.
An 1,800-year-old Roman mosaic has been uncovered beneath Écija City Hall in southern Spain.
The discovery adds to one of the largest collections of Roman mosaics, revealing the extraordinary wealth and craftsmanship of ancient Astigi. pic.twitter.com/TIaJakLoBr
— Tom Marvolo Riddle (@tom_riddle2025) September 4, 2026
Ancient Écija, known as Astigi, held the status of a Roman colony. Wealthy landowners who prospered through the olive oil trade also lived there. García-Dils described Roman Écija as a city at the cutting edge, with access to the latest trends. Its mosaics featured detailed figures, geometric designs, and high-quality craftsmanship.
The city also had a permanent workshop producing tesserae, the small pieces used to create mosaics. Some were made from glass paste, giving the floors vivid colors and a luminous appearance.
Rare floors highlight the wealth of Roman Écija
An earlier mosaic found in Écija produces two images depending on the viewing direction. It depicts a satyr from one side and a Silenus from the other. Only five such compositions have been identified across the former Roman Empire.
Other recent discoveries have highlighted the elaborate decoration of Roman buildings, including a Roman complex with rare mosaics beneath Villa Celimontana in Rome.
The Écija excavation also uncovered a rare domestic marble inlay floor made with material from across the Mediterranean. Only two such floors have been found throughout the city’s archaeological history, compared with remains of nearly 100 mosaics.
Archaeologists stabilized the newly discovered mosaic with resins and adhesives before lifting it in several panels. Restoration is continuing in a municipal building.
Once the work is complete, the mosaic could be displayed at Écija’s city museum or incorporated into the interior of City Hall.
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