Olympos 2008 Yılı Çalışmaları

Inventory and measurement of the mosaic fragments (total of 1461 fragments) currently preserved at the excavation house. These originate form the upper floor level of the « Mosaic House » and the in situ fragment help reconstruct the decoration of each pavement. A drawing of the mosaic floor decorating Room C in the lower level has been prepared. The mosaic bears depictions of water birds, cats, dogs and fish surrounded by geometric motifs. Architectural arrangements which partially lay on the mosaic decoration show that the building must have at least two phases. Study of the mosaic decorating the apsis of the central room (Room D) has also continued. The panel bears a depiction of a woman holding a snake in her left arm. The figure is depicted in front of a stylized sea-shell, the right part is not preserved. It is interpreted as « Thalassa », the personification of the sea. Therefore the buiding was probably also related with water. Architectural remains and mosaic finds from the upper floor show that the building was renovated sometime during the end of the 5th c. A.D. Mosaics of the lower floor were still used, the upper floors were paved with new mosaics in opus tessellatum technique, bearing depictions of birds and geometric panels.