GEONISTIL

The popularity of mosaic art in ancient cultures

These ancient mosaic patterns were made from natural shells and ivory mostly locally sourced natural materials to create designs on the floors and walls of important temples scattered throughout other regions of the world dating back to the time of Roman mythology. The patterns in temples or in nature created and left behind by people of the past for future generations to see connect to stories and locations of discovery. Mosaics are one of the oldest and most beautiful art forms.

Ptolemy transformed himself into a driven idealist persuading the Egyptians to accept the Nile Valley as a kingdom of peace. He advocated for a tranquil kingdom and most importantly one focused on profit. With these goals in mind he built and restored Egyptian temples adorned with floral columns and exquisite bas-reliefs. The hallmarks were a fusion of Greek and Eastern cultures emphasizing realism intense emotion and vivid movement.

The marble head of a king from the Ptolemaic dynasty believed to be Ptolemy IV Philopator or Ptolemy VI Philometor is currently on display at the Louvre Museum in France.

The creation of the statue of Serapis combining elements of both Greek and Egyptian mythology based on the ancient Mediterranean belief in the son of a god marked a significant step in the construction and planning of Alexandria the capital city situated on the southern Mediterranean coast. Heading east to unify territories into new city-states and vast territories in northern India Ptolemy was determined to preserve traditions and culture.

Pompey's Pillar in Alexandria Egypt is a large, ancient Roman triumphal pillar made of red granite approximately 27 meters high located on the site of the archaeological site of Serapeum.

While Ptolemy was committed to preserving traditions and culture he also incorporated ideas from the Egyptian pharaohs. The city of Alexandria became a world center of knowledge. The construction of the Great Library of Alexandria and its museums encompassed all branches of knowledge. Influences from Persia and Egypt resulted in a more opulent and diverse style creating sculptures of goddesses of beauty with graceful proportions in the Greek style.

The fertility protector of the Sleeping Woman of Malta

The voluptuous figure reflects beliefs in fertility and the Mother Goddess according to ancient traditions. The sculpture depicts a plump woman lying on her right side on a bed or small sofa her head resting on her arm with traces of red ochre crochet paint on the surface. The posture is serene, as if in deep sleep wearing a pleated skirt and bare torso. The red ochre crochet paint on the surface is believed to represent a priestess performing a ritual of sleeping to receive visions or interpret dreams Dream Incubation. The underground religious site may symbolize death or eternal sleep.

An ancient stone temple and burial site built around 3300 to 3000 BC. Inside the small square oracle chamber of the underground temple of Hal Savlieni the building's smooth stone walls reflect and resonate sound. This Neolithic underground structure carved into limestone three levels deep was discovered in 1902. The underground structure replicates the above-ground temple by excavating deep below. The middle-level chamber possesses acoustic properties capable of reflecting low-frequency sounds approximately 111 Hz which affect human brainwaves.

The beginnings of human civilization the transition to permanent settlements the construction of houses agriculture and animal husbandry are enigmatic. A 5,000-year-old prehistoric terracotta statue in Malta "The Sleeping Woman" or Venus of Malta is considered one of the rarest Neolithic artifacts to retain its beautiful form. The use of polished stone typical of the Neolithic period basket weaving, and the development of traditions and burial sites are also significant clues. They built houses close together in villages near water sources.