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Remarkable Roman Mosaic Unearthed During Investigation of Illegal Excavations in Turkey

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Photo: Remarkable Roman Mosaic Unearthed During Investigation of Illegal Excavations in Turkey. Source: Anadolu
Photo: Remarkable Roman Mosaic Unearthed During Investigation of Illegal Excavations in Turkey. Source: Anadolu

In the region of Mardin in southeastern Turkey, archaeologists have discovered a unique Roman villa mosaic amidst the ruins, a find uncommon for this locality. The discovery occurred during an investigation into illegal excavations in the region, as reported by the Turkish agency Anadolu.

In the rural area of the Uzunkaya district, approximately 30 kilometers from the regional centre, officials conducted an inquiry prompted by reports of illicit excavations. The investigation revealed that the architectural structure of the area had been devastated, with numerous unauthorized pits in the vicinity.

In response, researchers decided to delve deeper into the area to uncover ancient artefacts hidden beneath the ground before they fell into the hands of illicit excavators. During their exploration, they uncovered a mosaic floor that was part of a rural villa surrounded by walls. The villa comprised a central building and smaller auxiliary structures surrounding it.

The mosaic floor, covering an area of about 100 square meters, featured intricate depictions, including fish scales, triangles, hexagons, octagons, arches, trees, waterfowl, octopuses, fish, mussels, seals, and aquatic plants.

The director of the Mardin Museum, Abdulgani Tarkan, hailed the discovery as highly significant. According to him, the site housed a Roman estate that was not just a rural villa but also included diverse architectural remnants, including residential buildings and a necropolis. The findings are dated to the 5th to 7th centuries.

"Atop animal figures, we observe marine creatures in the mosaics. This is the first such discovery in the region; during our rescue excavations in the Mardin region, we have found marine creatures depicted on mosaics for the first time," noted Abdulgani Tarkan.

Currently, researchers plan to carefully extract these unique mosaic artefacts and display them for public viewing in the local museum. In related news, in the English county of Dorset, within the cliffs of the famed Jurassic Coast, a colossal plesiosaur skull was unearthed, estimated to be around 150 million years old. Scientists declared the 2-meter fossil to be the skull of "one of the largest predators ever to roam the Earth."

The remains of this plesiosaur were discovered by fossil enthusiast Phil Jacobs. The predator's snout was found embedded in the rocks along the coast. Collaborating with paleontologist Steve Etches, they improvised a makeshift stretcher to move the fossil to a secure location.

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