Huge Roman mosaic discovered while planting cherry saplings –

In the village of Sarkaya near Elazig in eastern Anatolia, a man planting cherry saplings in his field discovered a huge ancient floor mosaic depicting a dizzying array of local animals. plant. It dates from the late Roman Empire or early Byzantine period.

Mehmet Emin Sualp glimpsed the pattern through a planting hole and reported it to the Elazig Museum Authority and the Gendarmerie. The museum and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism excavated the site and discovered a single floor mosaic measuring 904 square feet. It depicts a panegyric of animals including lions, goats, ducks, greyhounds, deer, pheasants, wild boars, bears, geese and the Anatolian leopard. There are also trees and plants mixed with animals. Geometric patterns – triangles, rhombuses, kites, concentric square boxes – border the mosaics and extend all the way to the walls.

Elazig Governor Numan Hatipoglu described it as one of the largest mosaics ever found in the region, showcasing vivid representations of local wildlife and flora. […]

“This is an incredible discovery for our region,” said Governor Hatipoglu. “The vivid representation of the local fauna, including bears, wild boars and various deer species, vividly reflects the biodiversity of the area during the Roman and Byzantine periods.” He stressed the importance of the find and said further excavations were possible More historical artifacts will be revealed, potentially leading to strategic developments for future exhibitions.

Check out an overhead drone shot of the entire mosaic in this video: