Excavations in the İznik district of northwestern Türkiye have uncovered a preserved mosaic floor dating from the 3rd century AD.
İznik is a municipality and district of Bursa Province, situated on the remains of the Ancient Greek city of Nicaea. Nicaea’s early history is linked to several foundation traditions, with the city emerging as an important royal centre for the Bithynian kings.
Following the Roman annexation of Bithynia in 72 BC, the city became one of the most important urban centres of Asia Minor. The geographer Strabo described Nicaea as having a linear Hellenistic grid plan, marked by four gates and a central point visible from every main street.
Archaeologists from the Iznik Museum Directorate have recently uncovered a well-preserved mosaic, first identified in 2014 during routine sewer construction works.
Measuring 50 square metres, experts believe that the mosaic adorned a hall within a public building, or a lavish residential complex from the 3rd century AD.
The mosaic is decorated with a combination of geometric patterns, three-dimensional motifs, and figurative imagery such as depictions of a woman holding a fruit basket and various mythological symbols.
The panels are framed by an ornate border decorated with pomegranate and ivy leaves, motifs commonly associated with fertility, abundance and eternal life in Roman art.
Archaeologist Yusuf Kahveci, part of the team, said: “We found that the main walls of the building were once covered with wall paintings, and the floors were paved with marble.
“However, both the frescoes and the marble floors were damaged or removed over time. Much of the mosaic floor has survived intact. In the preserved section, there are three different panels surrounded by a border decorated with pomegranate and ivy leave,” added Kahveci.
Header Image Credit : Iznik Museum Directorate
Souces : AA
