North Macedonia
Sand Origin
Vardar River and Ohrid lake, village Elen Kamen
Random Sand Fact
In North Macedonia, ancient mosaics are buried in sand every winter.
In the ruins of an ancient city in the south of North Macedonia lie floor mosaics of animals, plants and patterns, laid around 1,500 years ago. Together they cover almost 1,300 square metres. Archaeologists have dug them out.
But every autumn they are buried again. From October to April, they lie under a protective layer of river sand.
It is the same trick that preserved them in the first place. Floor mosaics are often in good condition when they are found, because they have been buried, and just a few centimetres of sand can prevent serious damage.
In May the sand is carefully removed, and the mosaics can be seen again.
