Ancient mosaic symbolizes life and luxury

MERSİN – Anadolu Agency

A mosaic that has been unearthed during excavations in the ancient city of Olba in the southern province of Mersin’s Silifke district has been removed in 16 different panels and placed under protection. 

According to a statement made by the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage and Museums, the mosaic was found by a Gazi University team headed by Professor Ayşe Emel Erten. 

The mosaic is now under protection in the garden of the Silifke Museum Directorate. Painstaking efforts have been expended on the mosaic, since the size of the tesseras (mosaic pieces) used in its production were smaller than one centimeter. 

The 35-centimeter mosaic is thin and breathtaking due to many colorful tesseras. 

One of the mosaics, which is made up of two different panels and diamond-shaped motifs that separate them from each other, has three portraits depicting two women and a man in the center.  

The portraits are known as Tryphe, Bios and Lucia in Greek and symbolize life and luxury. 

The other panel has five portraits, depicting a winged and cloaked angel. 

According to initial examinations, the mosaic dates back to the end of the second century A.D. and the first half of the third century. 

Restoration and conservation works on the mosaic are continuing, according to the statement.