1,500-year-old finders: archaeologists announced a new discovery in the citadel of Urfa

Share: Archaeologists have discovered a 1,500-year-old mosaic in the ancient citadel of Urfa in Şanlıurfa in southeastern Turkey. The find sheds light on the early Christian history and artistic traditions of the region. The mosaic was found during the last phase of the project "Heritage for the Future", supported by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Turkey, writes Heritage Daily. Focus. Technology has its own Telegram channel.

Subscribe so you don't miss the latest and most exciting news from the world of science! According to project leader Professor Gulriz Kozbe of the University of Batman, an inscription found on the mosaic indicates that it was commissioned by a local church official to commemorate the family. Experts believe that the mosaic decorated the floor of a martyrium, a type of chapel that was usually built over the graves of Christian martyrs or in honor of sacred relics.

The mosaic, composed of small black, red and white tesserae, has floral patterns, animal figures and complex geometric patterns typical of early Byzantine art. Archaeologists note that such motifs reflect both local artistic influences and regional styles common in church decorations of the 5th and 6th centuries. Local authorities announced that a professional restoration team would preserve the artifact.

After the completion of the conservation work, the mosaic will be exhibited in the Archaeological Museum of Sanliurfa, which will allow visitors to familiarize themselves with the historical heritage of the city. Focus previously wrote about cuneiform tablets and seals from the time of the Hittite Empire. Scientists believe that the seals belonged to a hitherto unknown Hittite prince. We also talked about a recent discovery in Norway.