Excavations in Syedra reveal a 1,500-year-old mosaic

A team of archaeologists working in the ancient city of Syedra, on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast, has uncovered a mosaic floor dated to 1,500-years-ago.
The mosaic measures approximately 4.5 by 4.5 metres and dates to the 5th or 6th century AD. Decorated with geometric and floral motifs, it is inscribed with two Greek inscriptions containing playful messages for visitors.

One inscription reads “Use it with joy,” while the other roughly translates as “May the envious burst with jealousy.”

Inscriptions like these were fairly common in home mosaics from late antiquity. People often used them to show hospitality, express pride in their homes, or ward off bad luck.
The mix of friendly and cheeky messages gives a rare look at the personalities and social attitudes of the people who lived there. The mosaic was found during ongoing excavations led by the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage and Museums.

Associate Professor Dr Ertuğ Ergürer, who leads the Syedra excavation at Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University, says the mosaic was found in what appears to be a large residential complex.