Chapter Da Pistoia a Shawbak, passando per Palermo e Cairo

Abstract

The portion of flooring decorated with opus sectile squares, recently found in the still initial archaeological excavations at al-Jayyah at the feet of Shawbak castle, are the pretext for some brief observations regarding the contacts (almost presumed) between different western and middle eastern worlds, and about the spread into an Islamic milieu of that specific technique. These are artistic suggestions that in medieval time touched Venice, Palermo and Cairo. The text is limited to a hint of analysis, and a few tracks for further insights are given.