Inlayed inscriptions found at the entrance to early Christianity

Archaeologists excavated the ancient city of Olympos on the southern coast of Antalya, Turkey, to unearth mosaic inscriptions at the entrance of the 5th century church. Greek inscriptions exhort visitors to the church into the narrow narrowness. It reads: “Only those who are on the path of justice can enter here.”

Associate Professor Gokcen Kurtulus Oztaskin, director of excavations at Pamukkale University, said Olympos continues to surprise archaeologists with its rich mosaics.

She noted that similar findings were also found in 2017, 2022 and 2023. In recent stages, mosaics were found in both the main and annexed parts of the church, including geometric and plant patterns, as well as inscriptions with names of customers supporting the building.

“In terms of mosaic flooring, these findings confirm that the Olympians are one of the richest ancient cities in the Lesia region,” Oztaskin said.

Founded in the Greek period (3rd century BC) on the Mediterranean coast of modern Türkiye, Olympos is one of the six largest cities in the Lisian Union. It was ruled by Silesian pirates in the early 2nd century BC until the pirate king Zekenites was defeated by the Roman Proconsul Publius Servilius Isauricus in a series of naval battles and assisted by Julius Caesar, 22, in 78 BC.

The city became even more prosperous under the leadership of the Roman Republic and the Empire. Emperor Hadrian visited it in person in 131 AD, and in the 3rd century it became a Christian bishop, whose bishop participated in all universal committees and bishops’ meetings in the early church.

The full excavation on the site began in 2006 and has been underway throughout the year for the past four years, revealing many important structures including Church 1, Church No. 3, the Bishop’s Palace, monumental tombs and buildings decorated with mosaic floors.