Massive 1,700-year-old ancient Roman mosaic rediscovered in house in Syria, experts say
An intricate mosaic from ancient Rome was painstakingly crafted and painstakingly rediscovered in Syria, experts say.
Excavations on the mosaic began in Rastan in 2018, but the artwork was only recently revealed in its entirety, the Syrian Ministry of Culture’s General Directorate of Antiquities and Museums said in a news release on Oct. 12.
The mosaic is composed of colorful stone squares about half an inch long, the Associated Press reported.
The tiny tiles create a massive piece of art, stretching over 65 feet long and reaching almost 20 feet wide, experts said. Scenes from Greek and Roman mythology decorate the fourth-century mosaic. Some scenes show the ancient Amazon warriors locked in a battle with the Greeks.
Another scene shows the queen of the Amazons, the figure Hercules had to slay in ancient Greek mythology, the Associated Press reported. Another section shows the ancient Roman god Neptune, the god of the sea. Other sections show the Trojan War, an iconic battle between the Greeks and the Trojans.
The mosaic is one of the most important pieces of archaeology recently found in Syria, officials said.
The 1,700-year-old mosaic managed to survive unscathed through Syria’s ongoing decade-long violent conflict, despite being in a city that was once a point of intense clashes, the Associated Press reported. The Syrian government reclaimed Rastan from rebel fighters in 2018 and has held the city.
Other priceless pieces of Syrian history have not been so lucky. Many heritage sites – notably, the ancient city of Palmyra – have been pillaged, looted, or destroyed during the country’s 11-year-conflict, according to the Smithsonian Magazine and the Associated Press.
Rastan is about 125 miles north of Damascus, the capital city.
Facebook Translate was used to translate the news release from the Syrian Ministry of Culture’s General Directorate of Antiquities and Museums.
This story was originally published October 13, 2022 at 4:30 PM with the headline "Massive 1,700-year-old ancient Roman mosaic rediscovered in house in Syria, experts say."
