Unnumbered pageScan 17 of 25
The border consists of complex meanders alternating with rectangular panels of standard width but varying length, filled with many different almost [handwritten: almost] patterns, which include many forms of rosettes, various step patterns, geometrical patterns. There is/no duplication in these border [handwritten: panels] and even such a motif as a box drawn in perspective. There is much [handwritten: use of] shading [handwritten: spaced] from parallel bands of related colours. Two inscriptions are worked into this border, framed by meanders; a third is in a subsidiary outer border.
Two of the central panels are relatively well preserved. Enough remains of two others for a certain reconstruction of their general plan to be made. The easternmost panel, which must have been differently arranged from the others is unfortunately almost totally destroyed. A possible reconstruction is shown on the plan, fig. 00. [handwritten: (see fig 000)]
Handwritten: solution of the space doubles
The first panel is based upon an elaborate cross, with a central panel [handwritten: reserved] in the center, with black and white dotted body and yellow wattles [handwritten: colours] seems to be a guinea fowl. This bird, [handwritten: the Meleagris] the [handwritten: xxxxxxxx] was known in Greece as early as the 5th century B.C., Sophocles mentions it in the [handwritten: 'it' is mentioned by Sophocles.] xxxxxxxxxx. The colourful bird with the long tail seems to be a member of the peasant family, while the other may be a crow. The two fish may belong to the mullet family. [handwritten: with]
The second panel is circular around a square central panel. A guinea hen, a pheasant, and two realistic grey geese flank the circle; the central panel probably contained another bird. Nothing can be told of the pictorial content of the remaining panels, though it is clear from their arrangement that they were similar to the first two. Generally it can be said of the birds and fowl that they show keen observation of nature and realistic portraiture. The structure, workmanship, and figure reproduction of this and its companion mosaics, place them high in the roster of mosaics of this period, so high, in fact, that it is difficult to name close parallels. A mosaic recently found in Troy is similar to ours in plan,
Stamp: find
65 figures hard to readstruck struck outadded written in above” jug ditto, and what it repeatsword reading not certain