First ancient mosaic in 70 years found in Izmir
A Late Roman mosaic floor has been discovered in the ancient city of Smyrna, modern-day downtown Izmir, Turkey. This is the first mosaic floor found at the site in 70 years. It dates to the 4th-6th centuries A.D.It is approximately 10 by 13 feet in dimension and features two main sections consisting of a central hexagonal panel bordered on each side with five square panels and one rectangle. The space between the squares is filled with triangular panels. Each panel contains different geometric and abstract botanical designs.The hexagonal panel in the center contains a Solomons Knot (two interlocked ovals). The square panels contain flowers with four pointed petals. The triangular panels contain small solid triangles. The rectangle contains a smaller rectangle that ends up looking like a bold line.This same network of six panels around a central hexagon is repeated in mirror image, separated by a column with a hexagon containing an eight-petaled flower on top, another four-petaled flower in a square, and a double-headed axe design inside a trapezoid panel on the panel.The central hexagonal panel on the other side of the room is damaged, but the curved end of the shape is extant and it looks like it too is a Solomons Knot. Borders in a simple guilloche pattern run down the outside perimeters of the mosaic on the long and short side.The excavation team interprets the Solomons Knot as a protective symbol. In antiquity, such motifs were believed to ward off envy, jealousy, and harmful gazes, often referred to today as the evil eye. Ersoy explained that protective symbols were commonly placed at entrances or on floors to safeguard both the space and its users.Around the central knot, small cross figures were also identified. These elements reflect a decorative tradition that later became associated with monotheistic religions, while still carrying earlier symbolic meanings. Taken together, the motifs suggest a layered belief system aimed at spiritual protection rather than pure decoration.Im not sure about this interpretation. The four-petal flowers arent really crosses and the Solomons Knot was a very common motif in the geometric-intensive mosaics of Late Antiquity, and theyre mostly all over the place, not concentrated at entrances. See the jaw-dropping explosion of color and pattern in largest mosaic floor in Anatolia, for example. There are hundreds of Solomons Knots literally covering the floor wall to wall in one of the rooms alone, and more to be found in the other floors.The newly-unearthed floor emerged in an the excavation of the North Street area of the citys Agora. This was one of the most important streets in ancient Smyrna and was lined with private and public buildings. Archaeologists have not yet determined what type of structure housed the mosaic.Remains of later wall plaster indicates the floor was reused in the 19th century either by a hospital that was known to be in the area or by private residences. The mosaic was uncovered and then incorporated into the new building.The entire floor has not yet been uncovered. From the photographs, it looks like theres a wall interrupting on one long side. Excavations will continue this year, and archaeologists are hoping to uncover more of the ancient structure and of the mosaic.
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