It is not often that flooring becomes a piece of history, but after you view these amazing examples of historic floor art, you will be struck by inspiration and wonder. So get comfortable, and enjoy part two of our journey through the Ancient Wonders of the Flooring World.

In part one we took a trip through Tibetan Sand Painting, The Pyramids of Giza, and the Mosque of the Taj Mahal.

If you missed part one you can find it by clicking the link: Ancient Wonders of the Flooring World, Part One



4. Ancient Roman Mosaics

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Art is inspired by many things, romance, war, tragedy, politics, etc. When searching for the origin of mosaics, everything I found led me to ancient roman architecture. Rather than focusing on the building structure with its amazing stonework and remarkable columns, I want us all to imagine what would be beneath our feet if we were part of this time period. We would literally be walking on art!

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The earliest examples of Roman floor mosaics date back to 2nd Century BC during the Republican period. These mosaic creations were found in both places of worship and domestic architecture. Ranging from personal depictions of family genealogy to Mythological gods and beasts, it is hard to imagine the time and creativity it took these early artisans to craft their amazing entries. These works of art were typically done in portrait style and outlined with linear and geometric patterns. Today, roman style mosaics are making a come back as borders and background pieces. They are truly a feast for the senses.

5. “Carpet of Wonder”

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Although it is not the most ancient of flooring that we have talked about, it is definitely one of the most impressive. The “Carpet of Wonder” is one of the largest rugs in the world. It is located in the prayer hall of Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Muscat, located in the Sultanate of Oman. The sheer size of this rug is an amazing feat of craftsmanship, Measuring a staggering 4,343 sq. meters in one solid piece. The tremendous amount of work to create this rug required four years of constant work. Over 600 workers put in an amazing 12 million hours to complete it. Now that my friends, is a carpet!

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Persian rugs have been integrated into modern society as a luxurious floor covering, and people spend thousands of dollars on the high quality carpets. The first known existence of carpet was the Pazyryk carpet. It was discovered in an archaeological excavation in 1949, in the Altai Mountains of Siberia. Through radio carbon testing, it has been dated at 5th Century BC, however the advanced weaving techniques used in creating this carpet suggest that the craft of weaving carpet is much older than it is.

6. The Palace of Versailles

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The Palace of Versailles is now a national French landmark, once known for its French royal residents and the center of the government. King Louis XIV and Marie Antionette were some of the famous residents to grace this palace. The Palace was a visual representation of the power and sophistication of the French government.

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After the French revolution this amazing feat of architecture was almost reduced to ruins. Its original construction took place over many years under the watchful eyes of the courts. The first building was originally a hunting lodge, but over time it grew into the massive palace that it is known for being. More than 36,000 workers were involved in the project, and when the building was completed it could accommodate up to 5,000 people, including servants. About 14,000 soldiers and servants were quartered in annexes and in the nearby town. During the Seven Year War France lost most of its overseas treasure and assets to Great Britain. The resulting economic damage almost destroyed the monarchy. If you would like to learn more about the Palace of Versailles please click here to visit the official website.

I hope that you enjoyed this journey through ancient and historic wonders of flooring and architecture and if there are any ancient floors that you would like to know a little more about feel free to post a comment and I will be sure to do a write up on it. Until next time, Happy Flooring Everyone!