Two Roman-era mosaics recovered in Turkey

[guy]

Two portions of a Roman-era mosaic from the second to third century AD have been recovered in Turkey after being illegally trafficked.

🧩 Rare Roman Mosaics Seized in Türkiye: Myth, Smuggling, and Cultural Rescue In a significant effort to protect cultural heritage, Turkish authorities have confiscated a set of rare Roman-era mosaics in Gaziantep’s Nurdağı district, uncovering a smuggling operation involving three suspects attempting to sell historically valuable artifacts through illegal channels. The mosaics—now held by the Gaziantep Museum Directorate—include vibrant images of a crowned sea goddess (possibly Amphitrite or Thalassa), hippocamps, nereids, and other mythical marine creatures.

These mosaics are believed to originate from a Roman villa or bath complex, showcasing exquisite craftsmanship and iconography. Their stylistic features suggest strong connections to Greco-Roman mythological traditions, particularly those related to sea deities and cosmological symbolism. The seizure not only prevents further cultural loss but also demonstrates Türkiye’s commitment to combating the illegal antiquities trade, which threatens both academic research and national heritage tourism.

 

 

https://arkeonews.net/rare-ancient-mosaics-seized-in-turkiye-crowned-sea-goddess-and-mythical-creatures-uncovered-in-smuggling-plot/

Edited September 2, 2025 by guy