Archaeologists in Sicily have unearthed a 4th-century A.D. mosaic at the Villa Romana del Casale that depicts footwear strikingly similar to modern flip-flops. The discovery was announced on August 4, 2025, by the Archaeological Park of Morgantina and the Villa Romana del Casale.
The Villa Romana del Casale, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1997, is celebrated for its extensive collection of Roman mosaics, covering approximately 3,500 square meters. These mosaics offer a detailed look into Roman life. The newly found mosaic was located in the frigidarium, or cold bath area, of the villa's southern bath complex. It is part of a larger artistic composition attributed to a 4th-century A.D. artisan.
This discovery was made during the fourth iteration of the international ArchLabs Summer School, an archaeological training program. The program, led by Professor Isabella Baldini, involved over 40 students and researchers from eleven countries, providing hands-on experience in excavation and documentation. The ArchLabs initiative, ongoing since 2022, focuses on archaeological heritage in Late Antique and Byzantine Sicily, employing digital techniques.
While the resemblance to modern flip-flops is notable, sandals were a common motif in Roman bath mosaics, with similar depictions found in sites across the former Roman world, including Algeria and Libya. These mosaics often included inscriptions related to bathing, such as "bene lava" (wash well). They decorated bathhouses, reflecting the Roman practice of wearing sandals in communal bathing spaces, akin to modern locker rooms and showers.
The Villa Romana del Casale is also known for other significant mosaics, including the "Bikini Girls" and "Great Hunt" scenes. The recent excavation also yielded a mosaic inscription and three intact columns with their capitals, further underscoring the villa's high artistic and architectural standards. Ongoing work at the villa aims to create a three-dimensional system for documenting new finds, enhancing accessibility for researchers and the public.