Poseidon Mosaic Discovered In Central Turkey

Poseidon Mosaic Discovered In Central Turkey

A rare mosaic depicting the ancient Greek god of the sea, Poseidon, was unearthed by archaeological excavations in the southern Turkish province of Adana’s Yumurtalık district. It is thought to date from the 3rd or 4th century B.C.

In the frigidarium (large cold pool of a Roman bath), part of the ancient bath at the ancient town of Aegae, which is an archaeological area of the 1st degree, the Poseidon mosaic was found.

In Greek, the bottom part of the mosaic contains partly ruined writing: “Salutations to all of you bathing.”

In the ancient period, Adana Provincial Culture and Tourism Director Sabri Tari said the coastal district of Yumurtalık was called Aegae.

Tari said the city served as a naval base in the era of the Roman Empire and it was also a famous place for Asclepius, the god of medicine in ancient Greek religion and mythology. 

“One of three big Asclepius temples of the ancient world is in this city,” he added. 

Tari said the region is rich in historical tissue, and they had previously found a mosaic depicting the god of love, Eros. 

“We found a new mosaic during recent excavations. The Poseidon mosaic, which is a rare one in terms of its beauty, was unearthed in the grounds of the frigidarium,” he said. 

Mosaic nearly 11 square meters 

Adana Museum Deputy Director Nedim Dervişoğlu said they continued to place a big importance on excavations in order to further boost the province’s tourism potential, with such works carried out in a number of different parts of the city. 

“During excavations, we found a mosaic on a field over a space of 11.39 square meters. It is separated into two main panels.

The depiction in the southeastern part of the mosaic has been completely destroyed while the depiction in the north shows Poseidon carrying a trident.

There are dolphins in the right and left of Poseidon. When the excavations are completed around the mosaic, the depiction will be meaningful. We believe it dates back to the 3rd or 4th century B.C.,” Dervişoğlu said.