Ancient Mosaic Discovered in Urfa
Turkish archaeologists have uncovered a Christian floor mosaic that dates back 1,500 years in Urfa, a city often regarded as the birthplace of Abraham.
This discovery was reported by the state media Anadolu Agency on October 19. Urfa, formally known as Sanliurfa, is situated in southeastern Turkey and is home to the historic Urfa Castle, a Byzantine structure.
The mosaic was found within Urfa Castle and is believed to have been constructed between 460 and 495 AD.
Historical records suggest that Urfa was once the Mesopotamian city of Edessa, also recognized as Abraham’s birthplace. While it has been a pilgrimage site for both Muslims and Christians, some scholars now propose that the ancient city of Ur in Iraq is more likely to be the actual birthplace.
Images from the site show small, ancient tiles arranged in geometric patterns alongside inscriptions in Koine Greek. The mosaic features various animal and plant motifs as well.
Archaeologists also discovered three burials of religious figures nearby, along with medallion-shaped mosaics depicting elements like air, water, earth, and fire.
Güllis Kozbe, the excavation leader, noted that this mosaic likely belonged to a Christian site—perhaps a church or basilica dedicated to martyrs.
“One inscription indicates that this floor was built to honor Count Anascas and his family and mentions significant church figures like Bishop Quiros and Bishop Elias,” Kozbe explained.
“This assists us in identifying those responsible for religious duties in this region at that time,” he added.
Kozbe remarked that the symbols in the mosaic, particularly the natural elements, provide insights into ancient religious rituals.
“These symbols reveal clues about the religious practices that occurred in this location,” he said.
Urfa Castle sustained damage during the Türkiye-Syria earthquake in February 2023. The governor of Urfa, Hasan Surdak, stated in an interview with Anadolu Agency that this discovery marks a significant advancement in conserving the city’s historical features.
“We aim to restore the castle and reopen it to visitors by the end of 2026,” the governor mentioned.
“This newly uncovered Byzantine mosaic, likely part of a church floor, will contribute significantly to the cultural and historical value of Sanliurfa for tourism.”
This recent find is one of several archaeological discoveries in Asia Minor that have illuminated aspects of early Christianity.
Last month, Turkish excavators found a Roman hospital that had been converted into a Christian holy site in the ancient city of Kaunos. Additionally, in October, more than 60 tombs were excavated at Colossae, a site mentioned in the Bible.
