Byzantine mosaic revealed near ancient city of Parion in Turkey’s Canakkale

An early Byzantine mosaic bearing geometrical patterns was unearthed during an illegal excavation in northwestern Turkey's Canakkale province Wednesday.

Credit: AA

Acting on a tip-off about the illegal excavation, provincial gendarmerie forces launched an operation in Gureci village in Lapseki district and detained four suspects. They were later arrested by court order.

The mosaic was found in a property belonging to Fahrettin Enan, near the ancient city of Parion (or Parium) — an ancient Greek city that was located on the border of the historical lands of Troad and Mysia.

Credit: AA

Credit: AA

Officials from the provincial directorate of museums are now conducting to uncover a colossal mosaic which has been dated to the 6th century.

The ancient city of Parion was founded about 3,000 years ago as a colony by settlers from Eretria, a Greek polis from the island of Euboea and the island of Paros in the Aegean Sea. The city functioned as an important harbour for the surrounding settlements at the time.

Source: Hurriyet Daily News [October 10, 2019]