The Discovery Of The World’s Largest Roman Mosaic
The discovery of the largest intact mosaic in the world beneath the Antakya Museum Hotel in Turkey is a remarkable testament to the rich historical legacy of the ancient city of Antioch, now modern-day Antakya
This incredible archaeological find, spanning a massive 1,050 square meters, has shed new light on the grandeur and cultural sophistication of the region during antiquity.
Antioch, founded in 300 BCE by Seleucus I Nicator, one of Alexander the Great’s generals, was a major center of Hellenistic, Roman, and early Christian culture.
It was renowned for its vibrant public spaces, temples, theaters, and intricate mosaics, reflecting a city that was both a vital trade hub and a melting pot of diverse cultures and artistic traditions.
It was then taken over by Rome, at its own request, in 64 BC and became the seat of the governor. ‘Golden Antiochia’ was a favourite with the emperors, who beautified it in an attempt to make it an eastern Rome.
Image: Antakya Museum Hotel
This 1,050m² mosaic was discovered in 2009, when the Asfurog˘lu family began constructing what was supposed to be a new luxury hotel on a site 2km from the centre of the modern city.
However, it soon became apparent that the proposed location was full of incredible archaeology. Instead of abandoning the project, the family decided to preserve the archaeological treasures by integrating them into their new hotel.
The Asfurog˘lu family worked alongside the Antakya Municipality, the Hatay Archaeology Museum, and the Adana Conservation Council for Cultural and Natural Assets to conduct the largest archaeological excavation in Turkey since the 1930s, and to plan a hotel that would cause the least disturbance to the archaeology.
A team of 200, including 35 archaeologists and five restorers, worked for 18 months to complete the excavation and restoration.
The finds were superb and included the great geometric pavement, beautiful mosaics such as the 2nd-century AD Bathing of Pegasus, panels devoted to the Muses, and a 5th-century mosaic of Megalopsychia, the physical embodiment of magnanimity, surrounded by birds.
Image: Antakya Museum Hotel
Antakya’s wonderful 2nd-century Helikon mosaic was eventually buried, presumably after one of the many earthquakes that shook Antioch in antiquity, but mosaics continued to be laid.
The 5th-century mosaic features a portrayal of Megalopsychia, or magnanimity and greatness of soul. She also represented those possessing the qualities of a noble mind and heart, and a refusal to be petty.
She is depicted in a central roundel as a calm and beautiful woman holding a measuring rod. Around her, the rest of the floor is a veritable aviary of wild and domestic birdlife.
It is believed that the vast 1,050m² 4th-century geometric mosaic formed the floor of a huge public building adjoining or next to a set of baths. The latter’s hypocausts and water-pipes fill one corner of the archaeological park, overlooking the now gravelled site of a dried-up riverbed.
Image: Antakya Museum Hotel
The great mosaic was damaged during a series of major earthquakes in AD 526 and 528, and the incredible undulations caused by those catastrophes may be seen still on its surface.
The mosaic was so well founded, however, that it remained attached to its mortar base. The great mosaic consists of a series of square and differing geometric panels, each big enough to fill a large reception room, placed side by side.
Incredibly, it employs small tesserae, an astonishing achievement for such a vast area. The palette employed is unusual and pleasing, consisting of various shades of brown, ochre, and buff.
Image: Antakya Museum Hotel
A marble relief identified as Eros was another discovery. It looks very much like a sarcophagus lid. He holds an upturned and guttering torch, the symbol of death or unrequited love. If death, then he may be Thanatos and not Eros.
In total, more than 35,000 small finds were made, dating from all periods back to the 3rd century BC.Having unearthed such wonders, the great problem was how to continue with the idea of the luxury hotel and not to damage the archaeology.
A futuristic solution was found by award-winning Turkish architect Emre Arolat. His bold and much-praised plan was to raise the entire hotel on 66 steel columns, so that it now floats on a steel frame above the archaeology, which is visible through glass floors and from open walkways.
Image: Booking.com
The columns were mostly planted in the dried-up riverbed that crossed the site and other places devoid of archaeological deposits. The architect used modular prefabricated guest and public rooms, which were made off-site and slotted into the steel framework so as not to damage the archaeology during construction.
The lobby, restaurant, and lounge are on the lower floors, with glass panels allowing guests to view the archaeological park below; bedrooms also enjoy views down to the mosaics and gardens.
Bedrooms and public rooms are all decorated with motifs from the mosaics. The archaeological zone is now part of the new publicly owned and operated Necmi Asfurog˘lu Archaeology Museum (NAAM), named after the owner.
It allows guests to journey through 2,300 years of history and marvel at the skill of the Roman craftsmen.
See more here themuseumhotelantakya.com
Header image: The History Blog
About the author: Andy Rowlands is a university graduate in space science and British Principia Scientific International researcher, writer and editor who co-edited the 2019 climate science book, ‘The Sky Dragon Slayers: Victory Lap‘
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