Mystery of Turkey’s Ancient Mosaic House Deepens with Discovery of Enigmatic 1,400-Year-Old Bronze Cauldron
It has not been touched since the site was abandoned during the seventh century C.E.
“This cauldron stands out not only for the quality of its material but also for its preserved position and craftsmanship,” said Dr. Yusuf Sezgin, the excavation leader and the head of the archaeology department at Manisa Celal Bayar University, as reported by Anatolian Archaeology.
“It was produced using a hammering technique, remarkably similar to traditional bronze working methods still practiced today,” Sezgin continued. “This find proves that traditional Anatolian bronze craftsmanship has remained nearly unchanged for over a millennium.”
DHAThe pool in which the cauldron was discovered.
Bronze was a costly material in antiquity and was generally reserved for special purposes.
“Bronze was an important material, especially in structures of this type, in antiquity,” Sezgin said. “The most commonly used materials in daily life were terracotta, or ceramic products. However, bronze is an expensive and valuable material. Therefore, it was used in more specialized areas and for specific purposes.”
Its use here suggests a potential purpose beyond simple everyday function, possibly as a vessel to hold water used in ritual cleansings. The remains of a kitchen structure near the courtyard could also indicate that the cauldron was used to transport water from the pool.
DHAThe cauldron seems to have been left in the pool when the house was abandoned.
In either case, Sezgin emphasized the importance of the find for understanding the daily lives of Turkey’s ancient denizens: “The fact that it was found exactly in its original position, untouched for centuries, gives us direct insight into the cultural practices, technological capabilities, and daily routines of that era.”
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