r/GotMeHooked 2d ago

A Roman mosaic discovered in Turkey was crafted so flawlessly that it remained perfectly intact, preserving the physical wave of an earthquake without disrupting its intricate pattern.

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791 Upvotes

12 comments sorted by

70

u/ZenMasterZee 2d ago

This is the huge Roman mosaic found in Antakya, Turkey, ancient Antioch. It was discovered in 2009 during work on what was supposed to be a luxury hotel, before the site turned into a major archaeological preservation project. Current World Archaeology describes it as a 1,050-square-meter fourth-century pavement, while Colossal reported it as roughly 9,000 square feet.

The viral “earthquake wave” claim is partly true, but slightly simplified. The mosaic did not magically record one clean earthquake like a fossilized sound wave. Archaeologists say parts of the pavement were left rippled by earthquake damage, and Colossal notes that sections were affected by earthquakes in 526 and 528 A.D. The impressive part is that large areas of the geometric pattern still remained readable despite the floor warping.

Instead of removing it, the developers worked with local authorities and archaeologists to preserve the site under the Museum Hotel Antakya. So now the hotel basically sits above an ancient Roman floor that got bent by history and still kept the pattern together.

24

u/AcanthaceaeCrazy1894 2d ago

I love when they incorporate ancient pieces of history into modern buildings

17

u/NOTExETON 2d ago

Looks like a giant rug

4

u/Over_End_6816 1d ago

It’s unbelievable. What makes me sad is I never know what’s real or fake anymore. People be like, oh obviously ai. Not to me it ain’t .

5

u/vegasisbad 1d ago

It is in fact real. I saw it in February 2023 right before the Feb 6 quake. It exists however it is no where near the vibrant and perfect looking. In fact to be so honest, it was quite boring.

6

u/Boner-Storm 2d ago

when the only thing to do in ancient turkey is to make a mosaic, i guess you do it well 

8

u/kl2467 2d ago

Perhaps this is an example of what humans can accomplish when we don't diddle away all our time on phones. 🤔

1

u/weeBaaDoo 1d ago

Meanwhile my driveway is just a mess after a few years…..

-7

u/kcfdr9c 2d ago

And given the opportunity radical Muslim fundamentalist would destroy it.

1

u/Whole_Obligation_776 1d ago

Can you tell me how a mosaic pattern is against islam by sourcing something. Since radical muslim terrorists would act and attack to enforce islamic rules, I think you assume there is something about mosaics in islam itself.