Prusia ad Olympum Mozaikleri

The paper presents and discusses three mosaics finds from Bursa. 1) Mosaics from Yerkapı (Kavaklı district) : Revealed in 1949. Three panels in polychrome opus tessellatum with geometric and floral motifs. Geometric motifs, bird depictions and a large size kantharos have been used as fill motifs. Some of the geometric motifs have been interpreted to symbolize a Holy cross. This and the recurring use of birds in the decorative repertoire has lead the author to identify the building as an Early Byzantinian church. Date : 6th / 7th c. A.D. 2) Pavement of Osmangazi / Orhangazi Mausoleum : opus sectile pavement decorating the mausoleum originally belongs to an earlier building (a monastry) which stood at the same spot before the construction of the mausoleum. The in situ preserved pavement decorated with polychrome marble in geometric patterns consisting mainly of interlooped circles. Two dating suggestions in earlier publications : 5th / 6th c. A.D.or between the second half of 9th c. A.D and 11th c. A.D. The author favorizes the earlier dating. 3) Mosaics from Molla Gürani quarter : Revealed during the excavations of Bursa Museum in 2003-2004. Due to the theft of the central panel, the pavement has been lifted and brought to Bursa Museum in 2009. The original decoration consisted of a depiction of Sol in the central panel surrounded with 12 signs of the zodiac. The triangular areas in the corners were decorated the personifications of the four seasons. The mosaic probably decorated a synagogue or baths. The depiction of pagan figures and symbols date the mosaic to pagan period. Dating : Late 2nd / early 3rd c. A.D.