Archaeologists in Turkey’s Gaziantep province have made an astonishing discovery—three breathtaking mosaics from the ancient Greek city of Zeugma.
These intricate artworks, hidden for centuries, provide an extraordinary glimpse into a lost world of opulence, culture, and intellectual sophistication.
What makes this find truly remarkable?
The excavation site, Muzalar House, was once the home of an elite family who commissioned these mosaics to reflect their status, knowledge, and artistic taste.
Each mosaic is a window into the lives of the city’s wealthiest residents, telling a story of power, refinement, and devotion to the arts.
The Rescue of Zeugma’s Treasures
The excavation of Zeugma has been a high-stakes mission from the very beginning.
The city, founded in 300 BC by Seleucus I Nicator—one of Alexander the Great’s most powerful generals—once thrived as a vital trade hub of the Eastern Roman Empire.
However, in AD 253, Persian forces ravaged the city, leaving it to fade into history.
Fast forward to the early 2000s, and Zeugma faced another existential threat—not from invading armies, but from water.
The construction of a dam on the Euphrates River submerged nearly 80% of the ancient city, sparking an urgent excavation effort in 2007.
Archaeologist Kutalmış Görkay of Ankara University, along with a team of 25 students, took on the challenge of rescuing what they could before it was lost forever.
The Magnificent Mosaics of Muzalar House
Now, after years of careful digging, the team has uncovered three exceptional mosaics inside Muzalar House—each telling its own fascinating story.
1. The Nine Muses: Guardians of the Arts
One of the newly revealed mosaics features nine elegantly depicted muses, the Greek goddesses of inspiration in literature, science, and the arts.
At the center sits Muse Calliope, the protector of epic poetry, surrounded by her eight sisters.
These goddesses would have set the perfect intellectual ambiance for the home’s owner, subtly declaring their refined taste and education.
“These mosaics were carefully chosen to make an impression,” Görkay explains. “If you wanted to be seen as an intellectual, you would commission a scene like this.”
In other words, these artworks functioned as ancient status symbols, akin to curating a personal library or an art collection today.
2. Oceanus and Tethys: The Divine Sea Deities
The second mosaic showcases Oceanus and Tethys, primordial deities of the sea in Greek and Roman mythology.
Oceanus, depicted with flowing hair and a commanding gaze, was believed to be the divine personification of all the world’s waters.
Beside him sits Tethys, his sister and consort, the mother of the Oceanids—3,000 mythological sea nymphs.
Notably, this mosaic features special glass tesserae (tiny mosaic pieces) that appear to have been custom-made for this piece alone, suggesting a level of craftsmanship that was both rare and expensive.
The inclusion of this subject matter may reflect the patron’s connection to maritime trade or an admiration for the vast, untamed power of the sea.
3. Thalia: The Muse of Comedy and Joy
The third, slightly smaller mosaic presents ΘΑΛΕΙΑ (Thalia), one of the nine muses and the daughter of Zeus.
As the muse of comedy and idyllic poetry, her presence suggests a love for entertainment and lightheartedness—a stark contrast to the grandeur of the other mosaics.
Why Were These Mosaics Buried for Centuries?
While the beauty of these mosaics is undeniable, their very existence challenges a common assumption: that Zeugma’s art and culture were obliterated by war and decay.
Instead, these findings reveal a far more complex story.
Many scholars previously believed that Zeugma’s destruction in AD 253 marked the end of its artistic legacy.
However, Görkay’s discoveries suggest that elite families continued to commission and appreciate fine art even during turbulent times.
This contradicts the notion that cities decline in cultural production immediately after political collapse.
Moreover, the decision to place these mosaics in Muzalar House suggests that even in the city’s later years, there were still powerful and wealthy individuals who sought to preserve a connection to Greek intellectual traditions.
Preserving the Past
The excavation team faces a delicate dilemma—how to protect these ancient masterpieces while making them accessible to the world.
Ideally, archaeologists prefer to leave mosaics in situ (in their original location), but theft and environmental damage make this approach risky.
Following a recent robbery at the site, Görkay’s team has begun relocating the mosaics to a nearby museum for better preservation.
“From now on, we will focus on restoration and conservation, ensuring these mosaics survive for future generations,” Görkay told Hurriyet Daily News.
“We plan to construct a temporary roof for long-term protection and continue excavation in Muzalar House.”
The scale of work ahead is immense.
Zeugma is believed to contain between 2,000 and 3,000 ancient homes, with at least 25 still submerged beneath the waters of the dam.
Each excavation brings new surprises, painting a richer picture of the city’s once-vibrant existence.
A Timeless Legacy Resurfaces
The rediscovery of Zeugma’s mosaics is more than just an archaeological breakthrough—it’s a reminder of the resilience of art, culture, and human ambition.
Even as civilizations rise and fall, their stories persist, waiting to be uncovered beneath layers of earth and time.
These three mosaics stand as a testament to the creative spirit of ancient Greece and Rome, ensuring that, even after centuries of obscurity, Zeugma’s grandeur is once again shining for the world to see.
Sources: Archaeology.org, My Modern Met, Hurriyet Daily News
