“Lost Treasures of the Deep: Stunning Aquatic Mosaics Unearthed at Ancient Roman Bathhouse in Türkiye!”
Led by Zeliha Gider Büyüközer of Selçuk University’s Archaeology Department, the project’s goal was to document a Roman bathhouse at the site that had been used as a stable by locals for years before its discovery. In the “cold room” of the bath, Büyüközer’s team found the mosaics depicting crocodiles, dolphins, flamingos, and eels.
Anadolu AgencyThe bathhouse had several rooms meant to keep water at different temperatures.
Furthermore, the animals pictured in the mosaics are a mix of local and exotic, raising interesting questions about the craftsperson who created them.
Animal Mosaics Found At The Ruins Of A Roman Bathhouse In Türkiye
Anadolu AgencyA depiction of a crocodile, a creature not native to the region, featured as part of the mosaic floor.
Among the animal mosaics, the most curious were the six crocodiles, as the region’s temperate climate does not naturally support crocodile habitats. This detail led to some debate over whether the region had been home to crocodiles in the days of ancient Rome, or if the artist had instead come across these animals in their travels elsewhere.
“This mosaic has attracted a lot of attention. Those who see it may think that crocodiles may have lived in this geography,” Büyüközer told Anadolu Agency. “This geography is not very suitable for crocodiles to live, but the master who made this mosaic must have seen the crocodile and was able to depict it in all its details and transfer it to the mosaic. Therefore, we think that the master who worked in this place may have been a traveling master and may have worked in geographies where such crocodiles lived in previous years.”
