Archaeologist Kutalmış Görkay and his team have recently made an extraordinary find in the ancient city of Zeugma, located in Turkey near the Syrian border. They have uncovered three remarkably well-preserved glass mosaics dating back to the 2nd century BC. Let’s explore this remarkable discovery in more detail.
Greek Artistic Splendor Revealed
For centuries, Greek art of such magnificence has remained hidden until this discovery. The mosaics, adorned with figures from ancient Greek mythology, are a testament to the wealth and artistic grandeur of the period.
“These mosaics were the product of the patron’s vivid imagination, far from simply selecting from a catalog,” remarked Kutalmış Görkay, highlighting the unique and personalized nature of these artistic creations.
Urgent Efforts to Preserve Ancient Treasures
Recognizing the potential eternal loss of these ancient Greek treasures, the team acted swiftly to excavate, protect, and preserve these magnificent relics from the past. The city, initially named Seleucia, was established by the Greeks in the 3rd century BC.
From Seleucia to Zeugma
After the Romans conquered Seleucia in 64 BC, they renamed the town Zeugma, meaning “bridge” or “crossing” in ancient Greek. Zeugma remained under Roman rule until 253 AD when the Persians seized control of the town.
Depictions in the Mosaics
The images in the mosaics include Oceanus, the divine personification of the sea, and Tethys, the embodiment of the waters of the world. Also depicted are Thalia, the Muse of comedy and idyllic poetry, and Poseidon, the god of the sea, on his war chariot.
