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Farmer Unearths Surprising Poolside Mosaic From Roman Era

Sep. 18, 2012 12:10pm Liz Klimas

Little did a Turkish farmer know, but for years he had been growing crops above a piece of ancient Roman history. Although covered in dirt at the time, it would later be revealed as a place where, thousands of years earlier, Romans would wash up and relax.

While plowing in 2002, the farmer may have noticed bits of mosaic tiles among the freshly tilled land. Purdue University researchers, according to LiveScience, and others surveyed the site at the time, which is near the ancient city Antiochia ad Cragum founded in the third century. Now, they’ve finally uncovered a large chunk of the mosaic, finding it to be 1,600 square-feet, and accompanied by a pool that would have been a Roman bath.

1,600 Square Foot Mosaic Near Ancient Roman Bath Identified Under Turkish Farmland

The mosaic uncovered thus far represents only 40 percent of the entire expanse. (Photo: University of Nebraska, Lincoln)

(Photo: University of Nebraska, Lincoln)

Art historian with the University of Nebraska in Lincoln told LiveScience the mosaic was in “pristine” condition and that researchers were surprised by its size when it was all finally uncovered:

“To be honest, I was completely bowled over that the mosaic is that big,” Hoff told LiveScience.

Given the bath’s location in Turkey, Hoff said it shows that the area was more influenced by the Roman empire than previously thought.

(Photo: University of Nebraska, Lincoln)

“Its large size signals, in no small part, that the outward signs of the empire were very strong in this far-flung area,” Hoff said in a university statement. “We were surprised to have found a mosaic of such size and of such caliber in this region – it’s an area that had usually been off the radar screens of most ancient historians and archaeologists, and suddenly this mosaic comes into view and causes us to change our focus about what we think (the region) was like in antiquity.

“We’re beginning to understand now that it was more Romanized, more in line with the rest of the Roman world than was suspected before. (The nature of the mosaic) hammers home how Roman this city truly is.”

Watch the researchers talk about the discovery:

The team began excavation in 2005 and when completely finished — it is only about 40 percent uncovered at this point — will construct a covering over it for protection and public viewings. They have also been uncovering a third-century imperial temple and a street with shops in the area.

Check out the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, website for more photos of the excavation here.

(H/T: Yahoo! News)

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Comments (54)

Snidely
Posted on September 18, 2012 at 10:23pm
Was that Purdue University or University of Nebraska archaeologists? All of the photos and other information are from UN-L.

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- AndySchmandy
  Posted on September 19, 2012 at 3:32am
  I bet the farmer is pissed…
  
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cdcats8
Posted on September 18, 2012 at 9:18pm
Again, Mormons, Muslims, Mexicans, Mohammad, and now Mary being married to Jesus. Hummmm….

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- pdw
  Posted on September 18, 2012 at 11:02pm
  You do love slander, without thought.
  
  Report this comment
- Susie
  Posted on September 19, 2012 at 7:12am
  Hey CDCATS8
  lighten up on those anti-depressants. Stumbling around in that alternate universe of yours has landed you on the wrong page.
  
  Report this comment
Kaoscontrol
Posted on September 18, 2012 at 5:51pm
I try to stay out of Turkish bath houses. That’s where those Sandusky types hang out.

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floradaze
Posted on September 18, 2012 at 5:41pm
Tough luck for the famer, wonder if he got compensation kfor not being able to farm the area.

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MrKnowItAll
Posted on September 18, 2012 at 4:49pm
Brings our Future to mind. Ever see the first Planet Of The Apes and what’s left of Lady Liberty?

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dont_drive_slow_in_the_left_lane_obliviot
Posted on September 18, 2012 at 4:24pm
must have been a shovel ready program sponsored by RARP or else they wouldn’t have built that.

seriously, i’d like to see that.

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Tickdog
Posted on September 18, 2012 at 2:05pm
interesting.

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cranberry
Posted on September 18, 2012 at 1:58pm
OMG so beautiful! it would look good as my flooring…

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- Dr Vel
  Posted on September 18, 2012 at 4:45pm
  In a thousand years it will be flooring from one of us they dig up since America is falling in exactly the same way for the same reasons as the Roman empire.
  
  Report this comment
- iblvingd
  Posted on September 18, 2012 at 7:20pm
  LOL I can just imagine what they will dig up from us! Well….the houses aren’t built to last ..but…tons of diapers, plastic milk jugs, tons of vacuums, plastic in all shapes and colors will be plentiful I am sure! Too bad we continue to use all that garbage!
  
  Report this comment
term limits for congress
Posted on September 18, 2012 at 1:33pm
If the rich Romans paid their fair share in taxes, the Roman Empire would be around today.

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- RIGS
  Posted on September 18, 2012 at 2:11pm
  The reason they are not around today is do to liberal morons like you and the democraps.
  
  Report this comment
- Anonymous T. Irrelevant
  Posted on September 18, 2012 at 2:18pm
  I don’t know, are you sure they built that?
  
  Report this comment
- Elena2010
  Posted on September 18, 2012 at 2:53pm
  Actually, in the West they were overwhelmed by the Arab invaders spreading islam and destroying everything in their path, coupled with colder than usual years. They fell first. The East, where this was located, finally fell to muslim invaders in the 1400s.
  
  Report this comment
- Obama Snake Oil Co
  Posted on September 18, 2012 at 3:41pm
  Those wealthy Romans ran out of money based on give aways to the peasants….just like today.
  
  Report this comment
- Kenszen
  Posted on September 18, 2012 at 3:42pm
  @Rigs, I think he or she was being sarcastic. And it was funny.
  
  @Anonymous — LOL!
  
  Report this comment
- King David
  Posted on September 18, 2012 at 4:45pm
  I am pretty sure he was being sarcastic.
  
  Side note to all that leave post on the blaze, I am a Christian and a Very Libertarian Conservative and there is a lot of hate on the blaze posts. I have wanted to say this for months now. The hate some of yall write on the blaze articles really does make us (Conservatives and Christians) look bad AND I can not believe the people that are Christian or think they are defending God and Jesus but do it in the most hateful way. Not saying this to you RIGS, but to all Christians that leave post on the blaze and use the most hate filled speech. You are worse than the people “you know” are going to hell. I feel sorry for your soul and pray for you all that do such things, you really make me cry and ask God to give you with tears in my eyes. Please examine yourself if you do such things. God Bless
  
  Report this comment
- janedough1
  Posted on September 18, 2012 at 7:04pm
  The rich Romans were the government officials and tax collectors, then as now.
  
  Report this comment
loneindividual
Posted on September 18, 2012 at 1:19pm
So their tyranny was strong in Turkey as well.

Too bad the Catholics took over the Byzantines.

Too bad the Roman’s hi-jacked Christianity.

Too bad Christianity nowadays is just as crooked with all the fake pastors & priests.

And those same people (protestants & catholics) attack Joseph Smith….who was hardcore about exposing the conspiracy that has crept into the worlds religions.

I don’t even belong to any church anymore and I still hold less disrespect for that man.

Mormons are the only religion on Earth who have prophecies regarding the survival of America during the End of Days…..

I would agree with other religions, despite how corrupt I think they have become philosophically.

AMERICA WILL NOT SURVIVE.

Just like Rome but worse.

1. Weapons & Transportation Tech
2. Media & Propaganda techniques
3. Entangled Foreign Affairs & Domestic Unrest
4. Moderation of Virtue & the Sacrifice of Truth (Lies, Betrayals, & poor ethics)

could be a better description of reality….but I’m sleepy.

Alex Jones is working with Marxists and is thus blurring the lines between Locke & Marx.

It’s what Masons do. They blur the lines…they lay mortar to bind the bricks (you and them) together. THEY ARE NOT EVEN THE ORIGINAL BROTHERHOOD!

Illuminati blur the lines as well….but their purpose is to divide.

So for you people who consider Masons & Illuminati the same….they’re not. One is about triumph through flawed Order. The other is about tri

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- wheeler44
  Posted on September 18, 2012 at 2:07pm
  Does anyone else here the Twilight Zone music too when they read the Loneindividuals’ post?
  
  Report this comment
- RLTW
  Posted on September 18, 2012 at 3:42pm
  WHEELER44
  
  No, but I did see dead people while reading that CR@p
  
  Report this comment
- darkknight91
  Posted on September 18, 2012 at 3:54pm
  I think he’s on a bad acid trip.
  
  Report this comment
- VRW Conspirator
  Posted on September 18, 2012 at 4:09pm
  We Illuminati control the Masons you little twit…the Rothschilds, Bilderburgs…HAH…nothing to the power of the Illuminati…
  what…
  huh…
  oh…this thing is live…ah crap…
  Go back to you confused mundane lives….Nothing to see here folks…These aren’t the droids you’re looking for….(cue Jedi Mindtrick hand wave)
  
  Report this comment
- JACKTHETOAD
  Posted on September 18, 2012 at 4:33pm
  I usually hear Twilight Zone music, but I LIKE IT. Meanwhile, back East, DC and NYC are under tornado watches. moohaha.
  
  Report this comment
- LIBERTARIAN T38
  Posted on September 18, 2012 at 4:38pm
  Um, somebody overfilled the bong…
  
  Report this comment
- VoteRightDammit
  Posted on September 18, 2012 at 4:47pm
  Those inner voices arguing among themselves again, LoneInd.?
  
  Report this comment
- loneindividual
  Posted on September 18, 2012 at 9:24pm
  so you really think I’m crazy, on drugs, or emotionally unstable?
  
  Well I have passion but speaking with conviction I guess doesn’t mean anything to anyone.
  
  And the Iluminati having more power than the Masons? Actually…though there is still a divide… it doesn’t matter who is more powerful since they are working together towards the same goal. Right?
  
  masons through unity (love) , illuminati through division (hate). They are both wings to the same eagle.
  
  If not one of you has anything contradictory or supportive of what I have to say then I suggest the rest of you not bother commenting…unless you really are useful idiots or some employee using multiple id’s.
  
  Report this comment
Blacktooth
Posted on September 18, 2012 at 12:55pm
Dateline: September 18, 3000

We have just uncovered the ancient remain of a white house and it’s subterranean complex of tunnels and rooms. It is amazing to see how much technology was used by those ignorant people.

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pap pap
Posted on September 18, 2012 at 12:55pm
It’s all Bush’s fault.

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semihardrock
Posted on September 18, 2012 at 12:52pm
No doubt, built by some sort of Stimulas Program to keep the slaves at work for the Empire.

“shovel ready jobs” were amazing back in the days of slavery!

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MDECKER
Posted on September 18, 2012 at 12:48pm
What’s really interesting is they also found a Baby Ruth on the bottom of the pool.

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- SREGN
  Posted on September 18, 2012 at 1:05pm
  Doody!!!!!
  
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48Straights
Posted on September 18, 2012 at 12:45pm
This is breaking News???? Meanwhile drudge is reporting:

Chinese General: Prepare for Combat with Japan…

Not that The Blaze would ever report that, since it is bad news for Obama.

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Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on September 18, 2012 at 12:43pm
Wait, what are they doing? Those are wetlands, the EPA is going to be mad, and they have to put the dirt back exactly how it was. Good thing there were no fish harmed in that excavation.

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- 48Straights
  Posted on September 18, 2012 at 12:57pm
  Sad but true LOL
  
  Report this comment
Master.Debater
Posted on September 18, 2012 at 12:39pm
Sucks to be the farmer who now loses his land

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- aragona
  Posted on September 18, 2012 at 12:47pm
  I was thinking the same thing!
  
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4xeverything
Posted on September 18, 2012 at 12:36pm
Being a plumber, my husband loves these stories. I’ll have to admit that I think this is pretty neat myself.

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watersRpeople
Posted on September 18, 2012 at 12:32pm
Ah those were the days.

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teddrunk
Posted on September 18, 2012 at 12:28pm
Now science can spend millions studying this to try and answer questions, that no one asked.

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- crazyrightwingmom
  Posted on September 18, 2012 at 1:17pm
  Funny!
  It is beautiful, though, but I now know enough.
  
  Report this comment
Tri-ox
Posted on September 18, 2012 at 12:22pm
“The Romans didn’t BUILD that.” – Emperor B. Hussein’O

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- Mercie78
  Posted on September 18, 2012 at 12:28pm
  You could be right…it was probably their Gaul slaves.
  
  Report this comment
- watersRpeople
  Posted on September 18, 2012 at 12:39pm
  Mercie78,
  Yeah they were kind of like you.
  
  Report this comment
- watersRpeople
  Posted on September 18, 2012 at 12:40pm
  That Mosaic was the Iphone of the Roman era.
  
  Report this comment
- VRW Conspirator
  Posted on September 18, 2012 at 4:18pm
  not Gaul slaves…would have been arabic slaves if anything….the Romans controlled the entire Mediterranian area from the Spanish border to Tunisia and east to the mountains between Afghanistan and Pakistan…even those IDIOTIC Iranians…formerly Persians…were under the control of the Roman Empire at this time in history….
  
  that was the beauty of the Roman system….they came…they saw…they conquered…put lackeys in charge of tax collecting and a Roman trained local militia/miltary…and then LEFT….back to Rome to play in their bath houses with little boys and each other (manly love you know) while the governors had to do all the dirty work of keeping the peace and not ******* off the Emperor or the Legions would come back and scorch the Earth out from under them….
  
  this mosiac was built on the bath hall floor probably to show the aristocrats of the area how great the governor was doing in obeying Rome…
  
  On a side note…I wonder if the Turkish bath houses and those that frequent them now are the same way as the Roman bath houses back then…. Nah..can’t be…according to Ack My **** Is On Fire there are no gays in Islam…. (mainly because they are stoned to death if found…but that is another story…)..but Muhammed was sleeping with 9 year old girls…so we know there are pedophiles…just no gay pedophiles…
  
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floridareader
Posted on September 18, 2012 at 12:20pm
That is amazing!

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Mercie78
Posted on September 18, 2012 at 12:20pm
Very cool. Sadly, the Roman Empire and it’s ending has some tragic paralells to the United States right now!

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- jharper
  Posted on September 18, 2012 at 12:41pm
  You are spot on! That’s why the DOE is watering down history lessons.
  
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hi
Posted on September 18, 2012 at 12:12pm
Awesome!!

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- Exrepublisheep
  Posted on September 18, 2012 at 12:19pm
  Yup!
  
  Report this comment

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