“Lost Treasures of the Deep: Stunning Aquatic Mosaics Unearthed at Ancient Roman Bathhouse in Türkiye!”
Anadolu AgencyDolphin mosaics were featured in the corners of the warm room’s floor.
Crocodiles were not the only animal to be featured in the mosaics, however. In addition, researchers found mosaics of four dolphins in the corners of the bath’s warm room, with flamingos and eels taking up the space in between. The eels are notably represented with red stones and are of special significance in the region. Likewise, flamingos still populate the region today.
“Eel is a very important animal for this geography. Flamingos are also one of the bird species that still live in this area today. In fact, the artist has painted the animals he saw in the geography here,” Büyüközer said.
Anadolu AgencyFlamingos and eels are native to the region.
This Ancient Roman Bathhouse Had Been Repurposed As A Stable By Locals
Over the years, long after the fall of Rome, the bathhouse’s original purpose fell out of fashion, and locals repurposed the structure to help raise their animals. This included using the bathhouse as a stable to keep animals out of harsh weather conditions.
“We never thought of this place as an archaeological site,” one resident said. “We never imagined it held such treasures.”
Anadolu AgencyArchaeologists say the floor was so well preserved because it was made of meticulously laid stone.
To this day, the area next to the bath is being used as a barn.
Another local, 68-year-old Turcen Aydin, described his shock at the discovery of the mosaics: “I tied my animals here for years to protect them from the rain and cold. I was very surprised when I saw the mosaics and figures that were unearthed after the excavation started here. The excavation team did a great job here. Thanks to them, we saw the historical artifacts here. I was very happy. I never even thought of seeing something like this. It turns out that we lived on a piece of history and we didn’t know it.”
