During excavations in the ancient city of Heraclea, located near the modern town of Muğla, archaeologists made a remarkable discovery.
Amazing mosaics featuring detailed depictions of animals such as crocodiles, dolphins, flamingos, and eels were found on the floor of a Roman bath that the villagers had long used as a stable.
The dig at Heraclea is being led by Professor Zeliha Gider Büyükeser from Selçuk University. The work is part of the “Heritage for the Future” project by Turkey’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism, as reported by Aarkeonews.
“The Roman bath is the best-preserved structure in this area. We dug over two meters deep and uncovered the bath’s rooms, identifying their functions and stages of use,” said the excavation leader.
One of the most striking objects discovered in the frigidarium (cold room) of the bath was a mosaic depicting six crocodiles gazing at each other. However, crocodiles are not native to this region. Therefore, researchers suggested that the meticulous mosaic artist had encountered these animals in other areas.
“The artist may have been a traveling craftsman and possibly worked in places where crocodiles were found,” said Ms. Büyükeser. In the tepidarium (warm room) of the bath, researchers found mosaic images of flamingos among four dolphin figures placed in the corners, as well as figures of eels.
The professor commented on what she saw: “Flamingos are birds that can still be found in this region. The artist depicted animals he observed in this area; the mosaic reflects the local environment.”
The robust construction of the entire bath contributed to the exceptional safety of the mosaics and their reliable preservation over the centuries. Meanwhile, the bath was used by locals for practical purposes. For a time, it served as a storage room. Not long ago, villagers tied their animals here.
The discovery of the mosaics has sparked significant interest among the local population. Most had no idea such treasures were preserved right nearby.
Turcgen Aydin, a 68-year-old resident of the Kapakiri district, described his reaction to the archaeological find: “I tied my animals here for years to protect them from the rain and cold. When I saw the mosaics uncovered during the excavations, I was astonished. I never thought there was anything like this here. It turns out we were living on top of history without knowing it.”