Mosaic Floors Uncovered in Ancient Church at Olympos Site

Archaeologists excavating the ancient city of Olympos in Türkiye’s Antalya province have uncovered newly exposed mosaic floors and a rare inscription at the entrance of a Byzantine-era church.

Located in the Kumluca district, Olympos has been under investigation since 2006, with continuous work taking place over the past four years. The site contains layers of history dating from the Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine periods.

Structures identified so far include early churches, an entrance complex, a bishop’s residence, a bridge, the Lycian Marcus Aurelius Arkhepolis Tomb, the Antimakhos Sarcophagus, and monumental graves near the shoreline.

Dr. Gökçen Kurtuluş Öztaşkın, excavation lead and associate professor at Pamukkale University, told Anadolu Agency that ongoing support from Türkiye’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism has allowed uninterrupted progress.

“Olympos continues to reveal detailed mosaic work,” she noted. “In 2017, 2022, and 2023, we revealed decorated floors across various structures. This year, we completed the uncovering and conservation of mosaic floors in what we refer to as Church No. 1.”

The mosaics feature patterned designs made from geometric and plant-inspired shapes. Inscriptions were discovered in both the main hall and side areas of the church. One inscription near the doorway reads:
“Only those on the righteous path may enter here.”

According to Öztaşkın, the inclusion of donor names and religious inscriptions points to the cultural and economic strength of Olympos during the period in which these floors were constructed. The quality and quantity of the mosaic work suggest that the city was among the more developed settlements in the Lycian region in terms of religious art and construction.

Archaeological work in the northern part of the ancient city is expected to finish within two years. Once completed, attention will shift to the southern sector, where further discoveries are anticipated.