Significant archaeological excavations have been ongoing for the past four years at the site of the ancient city of Konuralp, located in the province of Düzce in northwest Turkey. Following the recent recovery of the bust of Alexander the Great, a new and remarkable discovery has emerged.
This site is one of the few in the country where research activities are carried out year-round, shedding light on numerous treasures from the past that provide insights into the culture and life of this important city during the classical period.
Recently, archaeologists from the Konuralp Museum, under the direction of the excavation team, uncovered a new chamber at the top of the Ancient Theater of the city during the excavation campaign last September.
Meticulous cleaning of the area revealed that the floor of the room was covered with an exceptional mosaic in wonderful craftsmanship and good preservation.
The mosaic features a design composed of geometric motifs framed with larger tiles in white, blue, yellow, green, and brown. In the center, within a square formed by smaller pieces, a scene is depicted in great detail, showing a pine tree in the middle with a lion on each side, gazing toward the tree. Additionally, suspended from the branches are a drum and a Pan flute.
Thanks to these musical elements found in the room, specialists have determined that this space must have functioned as a place of worship associated with the god Dionysus. The excellent quality of the work and its great state of preservation have surprised archaeologists, who claim it to be a mosaic unique in its kind found in Turkey so far.
The mayor of Düzce, a staunch supporter of these archaeological efforts, recently visited the site to personally witness this magnificent discovery. Alongside other notable pieces unearthed in previous years such as a sculpture of Medusa, an Apollo, or the bust of Alexander the Great, this mosaic underscores the significance of the excavations in revealing the splendor of ancient Konuralp.
Local authorities are confident that these treasures can help position the area as a significant cultural and tourist destination in the future. Ongoing work at the site promises to continue unveiling new surprises about the history of this important enclave of the classical world.
Originally called Hypios and founded in the 3rd century B.C., the city changed its name to Prusias ad Hypium after the Roman conquest in 74 B.C. Both the theater and other archaeological remains found date from the late 1st century A.D. to the late 3rd century A.D., the peak period of the city’s splendor. Known as Konulrap by the Ottomans, it is now part of the municipality of Düzce.
Sources
Düzce Belediyesi (Municipality of Düzce)
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