2,000-Year-Old Mosaics Uncovered In Turkey Before Being Lost To Flooding
We usually write about new contemporary artists at Bored Panda, but these fascinating discoveries recently made by a team of archeologists in the Turkish city of Zeugma has given us the opportunity to witness the unveiling of Greek and Roman art that hasn’t been seen in thousands of years.
The site caught the attention of the international archaeological community when it was threatened by flooding due to the construction of a nearby dam in southern Turkey in 2000. When a team of archaeologists led by Professor Kutalmış Görkay of Ankara University began excavating, they found stunning and well-preserved glass mosaics rich with color.
Read on for more information about this fascinating find!
More info: zeugma.packhum.org | archaeology.org (h/t: mymodernmet)
These stunning 2000-year-old mosaics were uncovered by archaeologists in the Turkish city of Zeugma
Rich mosaics like these decorated people’s homes with characters from ancient Greek mythology
“They were a product of the patron’s imagination. It wasn’t like simply choosing from a catalog,” Professor Kutalmış Görkay told Archaeology.org
“They thought of specific scenes in order to make a specific impression. For example, if you were of the intellectual level to discuss literature, then you might select a scene like the three muses”
The archaeological community was inspired to excavate when they heard that the city was being flooded by a nearby dam
Here is the mosaic pictured above after being saved and restored
The Greeks named the city “Seleucia” when they founded it in the 3rd century BC
The Roman empire conquered the city in 64 BC, renaming it to Zeugma (meaning “bridge” or “crossing” in ancient Greek)
The Romans held the city until 253 AD, when Persian Sassanids took the city
Pictured here are Oceanus and Tethys, Ancient Greek and Roman ocean deities
Pictured here is Poseidon, the god of the sea, on his war chariot
Meet Thalia, the muse of idyllic poetry and comedy
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so beautiful, it was a lucky find and such a timely one Makes me wonder how many wonderful artworks have been unwittingly lost.
Watch this ! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8POkDjAU5Rs&list=PLwmooDpEwEXIaleha2iSjZLIy71sBr6H9&index=15
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Great Article ! Check This Out ! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8POkDjAU5Rs&list=PLwmooDpEwEXIaleha2iSjZLIy71sBr6H9&index=15
So sad that they can't be maintained in their original location. Damn the dams!
"...then you might select a scene like the three muses” The muses were 9 and not 3!
I visited Turkey in 2001. The archaeologists were at time negotiating with government to stop flooding of the dam. I am glad they succeeded.
Many sincere thanks to the archaeologists who have done a great job to save and restore these mosaics! A joy looking at them!
Wonderful! Similar to the mosaics of Palestrina and Sicily! I am fond of the Greek civilization, but sometimes I am surmised by the Romans.
très belle découverte que ces mosaiques si bien conservées. merci pour nous les faire partager. Jeanne Delannoy
ReitaTroum Houston incredibly beautiful. Are they saved somehow now after flooding?
Beautiful mosaics found in Turkey. Just think of the time it took to put every piece in place. Also coloring, shaping and firing them. WOW!!
Zeugma Museum, One of the most fascinating place Ive ever visited up to now. I offer u all to visit in the city of Gaziantep Türkiye.Sincrly
Marvellous that they were found in time. Perhaps the ancient gods are trying for a comeback.
Simply Marvelous !!!!!! Thanks for bringing this article. . MDB
This is amazing , look at the shaded areas , they are fantastic how could we loose these works of art ?? Love it
so beautiful, it was a lucky find and such a timely one Makes me wonder how many wonderful artworks have been unwittingly lost.
Watch this ! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8POkDjAU5Rs&list=PLwmooDpEwEXIaleha2iSjZLIy71sBr6H9&index=15
Load More Replies... Great Article ! Check This Out ! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8POkDjAU5Rs&list=PLwmooDpEwEXIaleha2iSjZLIy71sBr6H9&index=15
So sad that they can't be maintained in their original location. Damn the dams!
"...then you might select a scene like the three muses” The muses were 9 and not 3!
I visited Turkey in 2001. The archaeologists were at time negotiating with government to stop flooding of the dam. I am glad they succeeded.
Many sincere thanks to the archaeologists who have done a great job to save and restore these mosaics! A joy looking at them!
Wonderful! Similar to the mosaics of Palestrina and Sicily! I am fond of the Greek civilization, but sometimes I am surmised by the Romans.
très belle découverte que ces mosaiques si bien conservées. merci pour nous les faire partager. Jeanne Delannoy
ReitaTroum Houston incredibly beautiful. Are they saved somehow now after flooding?
Beautiful mosaics found in Turkey. Just think of the time it took to put every piece in place. Also coloring, shaping and firing them. WOW!!
Zeugma Museum, One of the most fascinating place Ive ever visited up to now. I offer u all to visit in the city of Gaziantep Türkiye.Sincrly
Marvellous that they were found in time. Perhaps the ancient gods are trying for a comeback.
Simply Marvelous !!!!!! Thanks for bringing this article. . MDB
This is amazing , look at the shaded areas , they are fantastic how could we loose these works of art ?? Love it
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