Archaeologists unearthed a 1,500-year-old Byzantine mosaic during a church excavation in Ordu, located in Turkey’s Eastern Black Sea Region.
The announcement regarding the discovery was made by the Minister of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Turkey, Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, on August 11, 2024. Minister Ersoy stated that the discovered Byzantine mosaic is the first in-situ floor mosaic found in Ordu.1
The first research in the region began with the discovery of eight tombs during road construction work in 2021. Archaeological excavations carried out shortly after the discovery of the tombs revealed the existence of a Byzantine church in the region.2
Art historian Seçkin Evcim, who is a faculty member at Ordu University and has authored many academic studies on early Byzantine architecture, said that the church dates back to the 5th or 6th century AD, but was reused with various additions in later periods. Evcim, who is also the director of the excavations, stated that with a more detailed examination of historical records, they determined that the church was dedicated to Saint Constantine (Constantine the Great) and his mother Saint Helena.
Constantine the Great, who ascended to the throne in 306 AD, was the first Roman emperor to accept Christianity. He played an important role in the spread of Christianity throughout the empire. In particular, the Edict of Milan, declared in 313, was a turning point in this regard. For this reason, many churches were dedicated to St. Constantine both in the Roman Empire and in the Byzantine Empire in later periods.
Vegetal and Geometric Motifs Prominent
The mosaic reflects the characteristic features of the 5th and 6th centuries AD in terms of style. The vegetal and geometric motifs frequently seen in works of art from that period are also clearly visible in this mosaic. In addition, the mosaic contains animal figures and four battle-axe depictions.
Roman and Byzantine Domination in the Eastern Black Sea Region
With Nero’s annexation of the Pontus Kingdom in 62 AD, the Roman Empire expanded towards the Eastern Black Sea coast. The Eastern Black Sea, a strategic region in terms of military and trade, was protected with new roads and castles during the Roman period.
After the division of Rome into two, the Eastern Black Sea remained within the borders of Byzantium. During Byzantine rule, Ordu and its surroundings became a religious center beyond its commercial and military importance. Many churches and monasteries were built in the region for Christian citizens and pilgrims.
- X.com. (2024, August 11). X (Formerly Twitter). Retrieved August 12, 2024, from https://x.com/MehmetNuriErsoy/status/1822550894019256635[↩]
- Ramirez, D. (2023, October 5). The Byzantine monastery church dedicated to Saint Constantine and Helena found. Anatolian Archaeology.[↩]