Colorful mosaics, thought to date back to the 4th century AD, found in the garden of a house in the Islahiye district of Gaziantep, have started to be transported to the Zeugma Mosaic Museum using a special technique.
Colorful mosaics, said to date back to the 4th century AD, were found in the garden of a house in the Yukarıbilenler District of İslahiye in 2019, and were taken under protection by the teams of the Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism.
Experts, after working for about a year in an area of 170 square meters, revealed that various hunting scenes, people with swords in their hands, and various animal figures were depicted on the floor tiles.
After the work was completed, it was decided to transport the mosaics in 98 pieces, each 1.5 meters long.
Gaziantep Museum Director Özgür Çomak stated in his statement to journalists that the moving process will be completed within two days.
Stating that the mosaics will be exhibited in the Byzantine period exhibition hall of the Zeugma Mosaic Museum as soon as possible, Çomak noted that the mosaics depicting various hunting scenes include various plant figures and, most importantly, pictures of grapes and vineyards, which are the source of income of the region.
Providing information about historical mosaics, Çomak said, “It seems that there was a life related to grape growing and hunting in this region in ancient times. This place could also be a hunting lodge. That's why it is very important to have grape motifs in the mosaics here. It is the most intact mosaic dating back to the 4th century AD, especially from the Byzantine Period. Most importantly, multi-colored stones, glass and natural stones were used. Three-dimensional mosaics are also available.” he said.
Providing information about the work carried out, Deputy Regional Director of Restoration and Conservation Ayşe Ebru Çorbacı said that the mosaics will be transported with a special technique, with the main figures of the mosaics intact and divided.
