Archaeologists in Turkey have unearthed a rare and ornate Roman mosaic dating to the early 3rd century A.D. The discovery was made at the ancient city of Aspendos, located approximately 25 miles east of Antalya in southern Turkey.
The mosaic was found on Theater Street in Aspendos, a thoroughfare connecting the city's acropolis with its theater. Aspendos is situated near Perga, a biblical city mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles, where the Apostle Paul is believed to have traveled during his first missionary journey.
The mosaic depicts the youthful river god Eurymedon, characterized by geometric patterns and aquatic imagery. According to a translated statement from Turkey's Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the god is shown "holding and wearing reed leaves" and leaning against an amphora from which water flows, symbolizing "nature’s abundance and the life-giving power of water."
Excavators believe the mosaic once served as the floor of a pool. The nearly 20 by 25 feet section uncovered so far is thought to extend into unexcavated areas. Researchers suggest the structure may have been subdivided into separate rooms following an earthquake in 262 A.D.
Officials highlighted the rarity of depictions of the river god Eurymedon in ancient mosaics. "It is also especially significant because depictions of river gods are extremely rare in mosaic art," stated Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, the Turkish minister of culture and tourism. He added that the find "provides important scientific data on Roman-period Anatolian mosaic art."
This discovery adds to a series of significant archaeological finds in Turkey, a region known for its rich history connected to the ancient Roman and early Christian worlds. Recent discoveries include a 1,700-year-old Aramaic inscription at a temple and a Roman military hospital later converted into a Christian sanctuary.