A newly discovered mosaic from myrleia

Abstract

Previously unknown parts of the ancient city of Myrleia which today is located in Mudanya in the province of Bursa, have begun to appear gradually in recent excavations. In 2015 - 2016, excavations were started on the site which was previously declared a third degree site by the Bursa Archaeology Museum Directorate. As a result of the trial trenchings, in addition to structural remains that can be defined as workshops, residential structures built up on the slopes have been determined. These residential buildings on the hillside consist of a row of rooms and provide valuable information about the late period house architecture of the ancient city. The floor of one of these partially uncovered houses is covered with a geometric patterned mosaic floor. In addition to geometric designs on this mosaic, motifs such as kantharos, guilloche, wave pattern and ivy leaves are used together to create a highly visual and artistic composition. The mosaic floor is dated approximately to the 4th century BC.