The Museum is open everyday from 8.00 AM to 12.00 AM and from 13.30 AM to 16.30 AM
Full Price : 200 dinars. Half price: 100 dinars. 30% reduction for group buying of 10 tickets and more). Free entry : for youth under 16, persons of more than 65, soldiers of the national service, the handicapped and their companions, the non employed and the social minima.
Juba II (in Berber language: Yuba win sin or Yuva wis sin) is a Berber king of Mauretania, located in nowadays Algeria. He was born in Hippo (now Annaba) about 52 before J.-C. and died around 23 after christ. His reign began aroune 25 BC, under the Roman tutelage and his capital was Caesarea of Mauritania, present Cherchell.
Mosaic is defined as a juxtaposed assembly of small irregular or regular fragments of resistant materials called "tesserae" fixed on a support by a binder to form a design or decoration. It is a technique that comes from Greece and adopted by the Romans who has generalized its use in the empire. The nature and the colors of the materials used, the shape of the tesserae and their dimensions as well as the type of installation, constitute different mosaic techniques.The soil of Cherchell, ancient Caesarea, was very rich with Roman mosaics. This richness is the result of discoveries made during a period of more than a century. The museum's mosaics have been removed from their archaeological context either to deliver the grounds to modern constructions or to preserve these mosaics from a rapid destruction.The National Museum of Cherchell has forty mosaics. Their decor is divided in five different types: geometric decoration, floral decoration, geometric and floral decoration, figurative paintings that deal with agricultural scenes, scenes of everyday life, recreational scenes, mythological episodes and inscriptions.
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BACCHIC TRIUMPH
Bacchic triumph
The field is an orthogonal composition of stars of two squares in tress lace, tangent at a vertex. The intervals in crosses are laden with a star of eight rhombuses inscribed, determining squares. The field is a flowery composition in a grid of circles and tangent spindles. A pseudo-emblema is inserted in the panel, and representing a team of two tigers dragging the Bacchus-Dionysos triumphant tank to the right, with a satyr standing behind the tigers.
This mythological scene represents the triumphant return of Bacchus after his victory against the Indies with a troop of men and women carrying, instead of arms, thyreses and drums (evoking the campaign of Alexander the Great in India). Then he went to Egypt, where he taught agriculture and the art of extracting honey. He planted the vine, and was worshiped as the god of wine.
This mosaic was partially cleared in 1926 by Glénat, and the rest in 1934 by J. Bérard in the mosaic house of the Bacchic Triumph.
Measurements: 4.93 m by 2.75 m.
The pseudo emblema measures 1,33 m by 1,07 m with tesserae of 4 mm to 10 mm of side.
Materials used: limestone, marble and glass paste with the technique of opus tessellatum.
The Nine Muses consist of different medallions grouped in two rows of four, with a ninth medallion in the center, enclosing the nine muses, which (in Greek mythology) are the daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne (goddess of memory). Each of these nine muses represent an art: Calliope: Epic poetry, Clio: History, Erato: Lyric poetry, Euterpe: Music, Melpomene: Tragedy, Polymnie: Art of writing and pantomime, Terpsichore: Dance, Thalia: Comedy, Urania: Astronomy.
This mosaic was discovered in 1920 during the Excavations Glénat in the house of the property Volto.
Measurements: 9.23 m by 4.50 m, and the diameter of the medallion is 0.74 m, with tesserae 3 mm to 12 mm side.
Materials used: terracotta, marble, limestone and glass paste with the technique of opus tessellatum.
The field consists of four superimposed registers; From bottom to top we have: the sampling and weeding of the vine, sowing and plowing. The border is an acanthus foliage consisting of calyxes in the shape of large cones.
This mosaic was discovered in April 1925 during the excavations of Glénat in the house of the rural works.
Measurements : 5.25 m by 3.50 m with tesserae 3 mm to 9 mm side.
Materials used: terracotta, marble and limestone with the techniques of opus tessellatum and opus vermiculatum.
The mosaic has a double border: the first is made of a meander of swastikas and squares, the second is made of a braid with two strands. The table reproduces a hunt with two registers. Down, there is an antelope sagging, wounded by an arrow, up a rider.
The scenes of hunting in the Roman world are practiced in natural surroundings or staged in the arena, complementing the gladiatorial combats during the amphitheater performances, and called in Latin: venatio.
This mosaic was found in 1903 in the house of the Julii.
Dimensions: 2,30 m by 1,14 m, with tesserae of 10 mm to 20 mn of side.
Materials used: marble, terracotta, limestone and schist with the technique of opus tessellatum.
Colors used: yellow ocher, red ocher, olive green, white, pink and black. Location: East Gallery of the Museum.
Dated from the 4th century
ULYSSE AND THE SIRENS
Ulysses and the Sirens
The bottom of the basin is lined with geometric patterns: black horizontal bars on a white background are the sea. The edges are decorated with flowers and fruits. On the wall of the pool is an episode of the Odyssey, the meeting of Ulysses and the Sirens.
According to Greek mythology, mermaids accompany boats by swimming and try to attract sailors to the depths thanks to the beauty of their songs, which no mortal can resist.
Ulysses is the first to survive the attraction of their harmful song. He ordered his men to plug their ears with a wax protection, and was tied to the mainmast by several ropes, for they wished to hear their song.
This mosaic was discovered in January 1940 in the house of the two basins by Glénat.
Dimensions of the basin: the diameter is 2.60 m, the height is 0.60 m, and the width is 0.98 m.
Materials used: terracotta, marble, limestone and glass paste, with tesserae from 3 mm to 12 mm side, with the technique of opus tessellatum.
In the field, on a white background, are represented the Three Graces, nude and standing, holding each other by the hand. The border bears a wavy ribbon alternately in red, white, black and yellow ocher, green, white, and green on black background.
According to mythology, the Graces were daughters of Jupiter and Eurynom or Eunomia. According to others, they are the daughters of the Sun and of Egle, or of Jupiter and Juno; Or, according to the most common opinion, of Bacchus and Venus. The three graces are: Aglae (brilliant), Thalia (verdant), Euphrosyne (joy of the soul). They are the companions of Venus.
This mosaic was discovered in 1882 and cleared again in May 1886 by V. Waille, in the house of the Julii. Dimensions: 2,48 m on 2,07 m with tesserae from 8 mm to 20 mm side. Materials used: terracotta, marble and limestone, with the technique of opus tessellatum. Colors used: beige, yellow ocher, red ocher, pink and brown. Location: Southeast Gallery of the museum.
Dated from the second half or the end of the 4th century.
ANIMAL DECORATION
Animal decoration
The mosaic is borderless. In a decoration, consisting of rocks, trees and shrubs, we can see a deer, a panther and a gazelle.
This mosaic was discovered in the Crescenzo property during the researches of Glénat in 1920. Dimensions: 1.57 m by 0.39 m, with tesserae from 3 mm to 10 mm side. Materials used: marble, terracotta, limestone and glass paste, with the technique of opus tessellatum. Colors used: yellow, pink, green, brown, gray, black, white. Location: East Gallery of the Museum. Dated : 4th century.
THE VENDANGEUR
The Vendangeur
This mosaic does not have a border. At the top of the panel is a trellis made of reeds, which support vine shoots laden with vine leaves. A grape harvester descends from a wooden ladder and carries on his wicker basket back.
This mosaic was discovered in the house of the rural works, by Glénat in April 1925.
Dimensions: 5.25 m by 3.50 m, with tesserae from 3 mm to 9 mm side. Materials used: terracotta, marble and limestone, with the technique of opus tessellatum.
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