In Turkey, archaeologists have found an unusual ancient mosaic with lions

Experts: “site of the cult of Dionysus” discovered.

A well-preserved mosaic depicting lions was discovered during excavations in the ancient city of Prusiada na Hypius in Turkey. Excavations continue in the ancient city, which is located in the Konuralp district in Duzce and is called the “Ephesus of the Western Black Sea Coast”.

Photo: anatolianarchaeology.net

A team of archaeologists working in the area above the theater of the ancient city discovered a mosaic of a lion in a structure connected to the portico , reports arkeonews.net.

Experts believe that the newly discovered mosaic room is a cult building from the late Roman period (a space reflecting the general way of life of a society or group, embracing certain values, beliefs, traditions, art and other cultural elements).

It was determined that the interior walls of the new find, whose walls measured approximately 4.51 x 6.42 meters, were covered with marble slabs on a thick layer of mortar and that the room had a rectangular layout in a north-south direction.

The base of a platform in the northern part of the room was also seen. It was established that the entire room was covered with a mosaic floor of finely crafted white, blue, yellow, green and brown tesserae (small mosaic stones of various colors).

The mosaic, decorated with geometric patterns, has a frame of larger and more colorful ones mosaic blocks arranged in a frame. In the center, a smaller square frame made from smaller mosaics depicts a scene.

Experts say artifacts of drums and flutes found in this room indicate that it was a “Place of Worship Dionysus”.

Düzce Governor Selçuk Aslan stated on his social media account: “During the ongoing excavations in the ancient city of Düzce Konuralp (Prusiada na Gipi), a well-preserved rare mosaic depicting two lions looking at a pine tree with drums and a pan flute was discovered, depicted on the branches of a tree”, – he said.

Prusiada na Gipi, an ancient city located in the Konuralp district of Düzce, was founded on a hill that stretched from east to west and ended in a plain.

In the 2nd century BC, the Bithynians, led by their king Prusias I, captured Kyros from the state of the Mariandines and Herekleia. Prusius I improved the city and decorated it with many monuments. He also strengthened it and changed its name to Prusiada. The ancient city theater, known to locals as the «Forty Steps», was built during the Hellenistic era (300 — 3030 BC) and includes additions from the Roman period (30 BC — 300 AD).