Turkish Delights. Spectacular Byzantine mosaics revealed

Description and fine illustrations of the impressive mosaic finds (made initially in 2005) of Early Byzantine date in an aristocratic house located in ancient Edessa-modern Şanliurfa that perhaps belonged to a highly placed official. The well-preserved floors in 11 rooms of a dwelling spreading over more than half an acre represent mythological, allegorical, and realistic subjects. These pavements of exceptionally high artistic quality can be dated to the 5th or 6th centuries, and they show both stylistic and iconographic parallels with Syrian mosaics of that general period. Excavation was supervised by Nurten Aydemir, director of the Şanliurfa Museum, who intends for the mosaic site to become an archaeological park.