In 2015, magnificent antique mosaics from two millennia ago were unveiled by Turkish researchers in the south of the country.
The discovery was made by scientists from the University of Ankara, the team is led by Dr Kutalmis Gorkay. This was reported by the Turkish “Hurriyet Daily News”. Archaeologists have unearthed three wonderfully preserved floor mosaics depicting the portraits of gods and great figures of the ancient world. They are located in the ruins of the ancient city of Zeugma near modern Gaziantep in the south of Turkey, on the Euphrates.
Zeugma (Greek for a pontoon bridge) was founded around 300 BCE by Seleucus, one of the generals of Alexander the great. The city guarded the crossing of the Euphrates. In 64 BCE They were mastered by the Romans and from that moment on, they gained in importance. There was a customs house (archaeologists found over 65,000 clay and stone seals for marking goods) bringing the city and its inhabitant’s huge income. The main trade route of this region passed through Zaugma. Wealthy people built beautifully decorated villas and mansions over the water.
The discovered mosaics are located in the so-called house of Muzalar.
