SCIENTIFIC ASSESSMENT OF THE MOSAICS DECORATION AT QASTAL PALACE

The following research deals with Al-Qastal Palace, one of the most important early Islamic structures. It dates specifically to the Umayyad era in Jordan. Its floors are decorated with geometric mosaics, which were revealed during a series of archaeological excavations. These mosaics are characterized by a high level of artistic skill in their execution, particularly as evidenced by the great diversity in their shapes and designs. This study marks a serious attempt to compare the palace’s mosaics with their counterpart in Byzantine art as represented at various Byzantine sites, likewise, to show the influence of Byzantine models on Islamic mosaics. Our research suggests that there was a prevalent school of art that was widespread in the region. By comparing the mosaics with relatively nearby sites, we were able to arrive at a comprehensive overview of mosaic production in the region, and determine whether they all belong to a single school of art. A serious attempt is being made to identify the main sources of influence for Qasr al-Qastal, especially those coming from Asia Minor, but also from other places outside the region.