The Watch Day at the Roman archaeological site of
Stobi, Macedonia, took place on September 22. Schoolchildren from local communities and from Skopje participated in a mosaic workshop on site, learning how this art form played a celebrated role in the architecture of the past. Archaeologists from National Institution Stobi provided instruction on ancient techniques, including a demonstration on cutting tesserae with a mosaicist’s hammer and hardie. The children created mosaic panels with designs patterned on Stobi’s famous mosaics from the “House of Polycharmos” that date to the fifth century A.D. The students also painted watercolors after the ancient mosaics with help from artists and educators. These creative activities instilled a greater sense of understanding of and appreciation for this 2012 Watch site, which is in need of conservation resources.
Schoolchildren from three elementary schools participated in Watch Day at Stobi.
Archaeologists led a demonstration of ancient mosaic-making techniques.
A young boy reviews the elaborate mosaic designs at the site.
The students created their own mosaics, replicating the ancient techniques.
Students completed the designs using specially cut tesserae.
Local schoolchildren pose with the mosaic panel that they created.
The completed mosaic panels were signed with the name of each school and exhibited.
Students show their watercolors of scenes and motifs from the large archaeological site.
