Fur-ever memorialized.
Archaeologists have discovered a remarkable mosaic crafted by a Roman family around 2,000 years ago to commemorate their cherished dog and cat.
This artwork, dating back to the late second or third century AD, was excavated from the ruins of a Roman villa located beneath the ancient port city of Adramytteion on Turkey’s Aegean coast, as reported by Live Science.
At the center of the villa, there was a large mosaic, measuring roughly 16.4 by 11.8 feet, featuring 15 distinct scenes that portrayed an array of birds, fish, cats, and mythological figures — including a representation of the Gorgon Medusa at its core.
Interestingly, among the numerous animals depicted, only two were given names: a cat named Emerald and a dog named Ocean.
Hüseyin Özgen, who is leading the research team at Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University, noted that the named pets likely held significant meaning for the household, as detailed in his study published in the Journal of Mosaic Research.
In the mosaic, a light-hued cat reclines on a blue-green cushion, appearing quite at home, with her name, ΖΜΑΡΑΓΔΙΝ, translating to “emerald,” inscribed above her in Greek.
This relaxed pose indicates that Emerald was a treasured member of the family—definitely not just a random feline wandering the streets, according to Özgen’s analysis.
The researcher proposed that Emerald’s name could be linked to the emerald mines of Roman Egypt, suggesting that the villa’s owner might have had trade connections in North Africa.
Ocean, on the other hand, is captured in a more animated way, depicted either leaping or running, with his name ΩΚΕΑΝΟΣ, meaning “ocean” in Greek.
Özgen speculated that the name Ocean was intentional, possibly reflecting Adramytteion’s coastal location.
Although we can’t be entirely sure if Emerald and Ocean resembled the pets we’re familiar with today, Özgen emphasized that both animals likely enjoyed a prominent role in the villa’s life—so much so that they were immortalized in this stunning artwork.
Özgen has been excavating at Adramytteion since 2012, but the discovery of the Roman villa took place only recently, specifically in early 2026.
And as excavations continue, there could still be more fascinating narratives hidden beneath this ancient city.
