Roman-Era Mosaic and Pool Unearthed in Ancient City of Tralleis, Türkiye
Archaeologists working in the Efeler district of Aydın province have uncovered a Roman-era hall featuring a well-preserved mosaic of a hippocampus. The mythical sea creature, long associated with Poseidon, was found buried beneath the layers of a bath-gymnasium complex in the ancient city of Tralleis, Western Türkiye.
Mythical Sea Creature Unearthed in Tralleis
A Hidden Roman Layer Revealed
The discovery emerged during the “Heritage for the Future” project, a government-backed initiative managed by the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Prof. Murat Çekilmez of Aydın Adnan Menderes University leads the dig. His team initially mistook the site for a Byzantine-era workshop, but as they cleared the debris, the Roman floor appeared.
“That was an exciting moment for us because it is a very well-preserved mosaic within the bath-gymnasium complex at Tralleis,” Çekilmez told Anadolu Agency. The find offers a rare window into the daily life and religious iconography of the Roman Imperial period.
Center of Ancient Intellectual Life
In antiquity, this complex served as far more than a bathhouse. It functioned as an educational hub where children were schooled from an early age. The site was a cradle for regional talent, training doctors, engineers, and scholars who shaped the ancient world.
“Tralleis was known in antiquity as a place that produced writers and scientists, and our excavations are bringing this heritage back to light,” Çekilmez said. Previous work at the site has already yielded an Olympic-style swimming pool and various Byzantine artifacts.
Preparing the Site for Public View
Excavations are now concentrated in the northern section of the complex. The team intends to open the area to visitors in the near future, allowing the public to walk the same halls where ancient scholars once trained.