Mosaics depicting crocodiles and eels were found on the floor of the ancient Roman bath

During excavations in the ancient city of Herakleia in the Milas district of Muğla, mosaics depicting crocodiles, dolphins, flamingos and eels were unearthed on the floor of the Roman bath, which was used as a barn by villagers for years.

The Head of the Latmos and Herakleia Excavation and Selçuk University Archaeology Department Faculty Member Prof. Dr. Zeliha Gider Büyüközer told AA that they carried out work on the Roman bath in the ancient city in 2024 within the scope of the Heritage to the Future Project of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

Noting that the bath, which is the best-preserved Roman-era structure in the area, is very important for the city, Büyüközer said, "We opened the spaces of the well-preserved structure, which is standing almost to the roof level. We excavated more than two meters of fill. We determined both the functions and the usage phases of these spaces. In this respect, we obtained very important archaeological data." Büyüközer drew attention to the fact that there were crocodile depictions in the mosaics in the spaces they opened, especially in the "cold room" section, and said: "6 crocodile depictions directed at each other were revealed. This mosaic aroused great interest. Those who saw it may think that crocodiles may have lived in this geography. This geography is not very suitable for crocodiles to live, but the master who made this mosaic must have seen a crocodile and was able to depict it in all its details and transfer it to the mosaic. Therefore, we think that the master who worked in this space may have been a traveling master and may have worked in geographies where such crocodiles lived in previous years." "He painted the animals he saw"

Noting that a well-preserved mosaic floor was also unearthed in the warm area built to prevent heat loss in the bath, Büyüközer said, "Here, there are flamingos among the 4 dolphins placed in the corners and interestingly, there are eels made of red stones in the mouths of the flamingos. Eels are very important animals for this geography. Flamingos are also one of the bird species that still live in this area today. In fact, the artist painted the animals he saw in the geography here." Büyüközer emphasized that the mosaics were able to remain intact because the floor arrangement of the bath was made of rocks.

Pointing out that the bath structure was used for different functions by the villagers, Büyüközer said, "We know that it was used as a barn for a period. Its owners are still alive. In our conversations with them, we learned that they tied their animals in this area. The side of the bath is still used as a barn. The mosaics and findings also attracted a lot of attention from the local people. 'We never thought of this place like this. We never imagined it like this.' They say. Many people come from the area to see these mosaics out of curiosity." he shared the information.

"We lived on history, we didn't know it"

68-year-old Turcen Aydın, who lives in Kapıkırı Neighborhood where the Herakleia Ancient City is located, said that he had tied his animals to the area where the mosaics were located for many years.

Aydın, who stated that he protected the animals in the historical area so that they would not be affected by the rain and cold, said, "I was very surprised when I saw the mosaics and figures that were unearthed after the excavation started here. The excavation team did a great job here. Thanks to them, we saw the historical artifacts here. I was very happy. I never thought I would see something like this. It turns out we lived on history, we didn't know it."