Antakya, Türkiye | A Team of Archaeologists Completed Excavation of a Greek Floor Mosaic from Late Antiquity

A team of archaeologists in Antakya, a centre in the Hatay Province, the southernmost region of Türkiye, located on the banks of the Orontos River in a well - watered valley with surrounding picturesque hills, a centre features a rich blend of Byzantine, Ottoman, and Roman history, famed for its Hatay Archaeology Museum, the sacred cave, the church of St. Peter and historic mosques like Habib - i Neccar Mosque, also highlighted by suggestive narrow streets and bustling markets have completed the excavation of a Late Antique floor mosaic featuring Greek inscriptions and intricate geometric patterns.  

The mosaic was discovered last March in the Maşuklu neighbourhood of Antakya during post - earthquake, reconstruction efforts on the site of a building that collapsed after the devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake that shook southern Türkiye and northern Syria on February 2023, which caused substantial human and material losses in both countries.

The floor mosaic, 17.5 metres long, has elaborate geometric motifs from Late Antiquity, a historical period which dates to the 4th - 6th century AD., corresponding to a transitional era between Classical Antiquity and the Middle Ages in Europe and the Mediterranean basin. 

Archaeologist Ozan Demir informed the Anadolu agency that the excavation work on the floor mosaic has been completed, and specified that the work to bring to light architectural remains of the area continues at a good pace, with the participation of two archaeologists and eight workers.

According to the Archaeologist, this find is not a mosaic typical of the home of an ordinary person, which indicated that the site belonged to someone of high social status. 

The floor mosaic  will be transferred to the Archaeological Museum of Antakya in 2026, while excavations will continue in other sectors of the site with the aim of reconstructing the architectural framework and obtaining new archaeological data.

For his part, archaeologist Mert Nalbandoğlu underlined the relevance of the find, highlighting the excellent state of conservation of the mosaic and the presence of an inscription, elements that reinforce its historical and scientific value.

Key Details of the Discovery: 

•    Location: The mosaic was found in the Maşuklu neighbourhood of Antakya, an area known in antiquity as Antioch, a major city of the Roman Empire famous for its extensive mosaics. 
•    Context: It was discovered on the site of a three - story building destroyed in the 2023 earthquakes. Constructioin work on a new foundation was halted when the ancient floor was encountered, prompting a rescue excavation by the Hatay Archaeology Museum.
•    Significance: The quality and scale of the mosaic suggest the structure likely belonged to a person of high social status, as such elaborate floor decorations werfe not common in every household.
•    Preservation and Future: The mosaic has survived as a single piece and shows evidence of ancient repairs. Plans are underway to transfer it to the Hatay Archaeology Museum in 2026 for preservation and public display. 

This recent find adds to the region’s rich archaeological heritage, which includes the world’s largest known intact ancient mosaic, also discovered in Antakya and now housed in the Antakya Museum. 

Link
https://www.prensa-latina.cu/2025/12/21/turkiye-concluye-excavacion-de-mosaico-griego-de-antiguedad-tardia/