In the heart of Antalya province, Türkiye, lie the ancient Lycian city of Myra and its port, Andriake, where it is believed that Saint Paul and his fellow prisoners were embarked on their way to Italy. Recently, excavations by Akdeniz University at the site revealed a remarkable find: millefiori (“A Thousand Flowers”) glass plaques .

Excavations at Andriake have revealed a vast number of decorative glass plaques made with the millefiori technique, a complex glassmaking process that involves fusing multiple glass rods of different colors, creating intricate patterns that often resemble flowers or geometric shapes.

Although examples of millefiori have been found in other parts of the world, this is the first time they have been discovered in such abundance and variety in Turkey, leading experts to consider it one of the most important archaeological finds of the year in the country.

One of the decorative glass plates found in Andriake
One of the decorative glass plates found in Andriake. Credit: Ministry of Culture of Türkiye

The millefiori plaques discovered at Andriake are not merely decorative; they represent a testament to the sophistication and luxury of interior decoration at the time.

This find suggests that the elite society living in Andriake during the 5th century AD had access to very advanced decorative techniques, which were not only aesthetically beautiful but also indicative of status and power.

The discovery was made in the agora area of Andriake, specifically in the customs zone of the port. In the space identified as “Structure 42”, archaeologists found hundreds of pieces of millefiori plaques.

Another of the glass plates found at Andriake
Another of the glass plates found at Andriake. Credit: Ministry of Culture of Türkiye

This location, strategically situated near the port, would have been a crucial point for trade and administration, leading experts to speculate that it might have been a government building or an important administrative structure.

In addition to the millefiori glass plaques, other decorative elements were discovered in the same context. Among the findings are small glass rosettes in square and round shapes, as well as glass frames accompanying the plaques, suggesting a coordinated decorative design.

Exceptional examples of wall decoration were also found, including techniques such as opus sectile, where small fragments of marble, glass, and other materials were used to create intricate images.

The discovery site in Andriake harbor
The discovery site in Andriake harbor. Credit: Ministry of Culture of Türkiye

Among these fragments, figures of saints and animals such as birds and camels stand out, suggesting a rich visual narrative on the walls of the buildings.

The discovery of the opus sectile technique in Andriake is particularly notable. This technique is known for its complexity and its use in the Late Roman and Byzantine Empires to create decorative floors and murals.

The discovery of these millefiori glass elements and other decorative techniques in Andriake challenges the notion that such sophisticated glass techniques and mural decorations were exclusive to the larger centers of the Roman and Byzantine Empires, suggesting there was a sufficiently developed network of trade and communication to allow the diffusion of these techniques to more remote places like Andriake.



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