Within the framework of collaboration with the Dámaso Navarro Museum of Petrer, the Roman mosaic of "Villa Petraria" has been brought to the Archaeological Museum of Alicante. This pavement was part of a splendid 4th century Roman residence and is a remarkable example of Alicante's extraordinary archaeological heritage. It arrives at MARQ to be restored and in February 2018 to form part of the exhibition. Petrer. Archaeology and Museumthe thirteenth exhibition of the Local Museums Cycle at MARQ.
The mosaic, which was placed on a wall of the Peter Museum, has been dismantled with great care by the company Alebus and transferred to the Museum by the Maintenance Unit of the Provincial Council of Alicante, all under the direct supervision of technical staff from the Exhibitions and Restoration Unit of the MARQ and the Petrer Museum. The complex operation was authorised, as required, by the Directorate General of Heritage of the Department of Culture.
The Restoration Laboratory of the Archaeological Museum will undertake the conservation and enhancement of the mosaic during the six months remaining until the date of its exhibition. In this intervention, the necessary treatments will be carried out for the stabilisation and recovery of the mosaic remains, such as consolidation, elimination of harmful agents, physical-chemical cleaning, structural reinforcements, reintegrations, etc., so that the public can enjoy the pavement in all its splendour.
The mosaic, once the exhibition in Alicante has been dismantled, will be returned to Petrer and installed in the new Museum of Petrer.
In addition to the Roman pavement, the exhibition will also include other important pieces from the municipal collection, such as the Islamic plasterwork from the Puça farmhouse, and will occupy the 'Enrique Llobregat' and 'Figueras Pacheco' temporary exhibition halls, as well as their respective access corridors, and will be divided into different thematic areas.
The joint project also includes the production of a video documentary and the publication of a catalogue written by some twenty specialised researchers.
