One of the lesser known art techniques from the ancient world is called opus sectile. These works are made from cut inlaid stone, but different from mosaics, which are assembled from tesserrae, or many small squares of stone or manufactured ceramic or glass pieces. This is a detail of an opus sectile piece found in the 4th century CE basilica of Junius Bassus in Rome, where many excellent examples of the art form where found. Today, it’s on display in the Museo Nazionale alle Terme (Palazzo Massimo). Hanging right beside this is the work of opus sectile that, by the way, decorates the cover of my book on the hippodrome of Istanbul / Constantinople.