Archaeologists Discover Roman-Era Mosaic in Syria
“What is in front of us is a discovery that is rare on a global scale.”
Archaeologists have uncovered a 1,600-year-old Roman-era mosaic located in the Syrian city of Rastan. The mosaic measures roughly 1,300 square feet and is one of the first major discoveries since the Syrian Civil War began in 2011.
“What is in front of us is a discovery that is rare on a global scale,” said Dr. Humam Saad, the associate director of the excavation, in an interview with The Associated Press. The mosaic is rich in detail and depicts scenes from the Trojan War, along with unique portrayals of Amazon warriors in Roman mythology. Also depicted is Neptune, the Roman god of water and sea, with 40 of his mistresses.
“We can’t identify the type of the building, whether it’s a public bathhouse or something else, because we have not finished excavating yet,” Saad added.
Looting and destruction has been a major issue across Syrian cities over the past decade, particularly for the city of Rastan, which was used as a stronghold by opposition forces until the government took back control in 2018. Experts hope that the recent discovery will help the nation reclaim its rich antiquities, many of which lie undiscovered in and around Rastan and neighboring cities.
In related news, an American tourist damaged 2,000-year-old Roman Busts at the Vatican Museums.
