27 October 2025 The Future is the Product of the Past

Grave Dig Uncovers 1,500-Year-Old Mosaic with Star of David and Cryptic Greek Petition in Türkiye

During a routine grave dig in Türkiye’s Diyarbakır province, archaeologists uncovered a remarkable 1,500-year-old mosaic featuring the Star of David and a cryptic six-line inscription in ancient Greek.

A routine burial in southeastern Türkiye has led to an extraordinary archaeological discovery. While digging a grave in the rural Özbilek neighborhood of Ergani district, local residents uncovered a stunning 35-square-meter mosaic floor believed to date back to the late Roman or early Byzantine period.

What makes the find even more fascinating is the presence of a six-line inscription in ancient Greek, resembling a formal petition or plea, along with a unique Star of David containing a Christian cross motif — a symbol rarely seen in combination. The mosaic was unearthed on March 8 during preparations for a burial, but the find has only recently been detailed by local museum authorities.

A Burial That Changed Everything

The mosaic came to light when villagers began preparing a grave for a deceased resident. As soon as the decorated floor emerged, the community halted the burial, opting to move the ceremony elsewhere and notify local authorities.

Responding swiftly, the Ergani District Gendarmerie secured the area and informed the Diyarbakır Museum Directorate, whose experts arrived the same day. After preliminary evaluations, the area was classified as a historically significant site, prompting the initiation of an emergency archaeological excavation.



📣 Our WhatsApp channel is now LIVE! Stay up-to-date with the latest news and updates, just click here to follow us on WhatsApp and never miss a thing!!



What makes the find even more fascinating is the presence of a six-line inscription in ancient Greek, resembling a formal petition or plea, along with a unique Star of David containing a Christian cross motif — a symbol rarely seen in combination. Credit: DHA
What makes the find even more fascinating is the presence of a six-line inscription in ancient Greek, resembling a formal petition or plea, along with a unique Star of David containing a Christian cross motif — a symbol rarely seen in combination. Credit: DHA

A Team of Experts Moves In

According to Mehmet Çelebi, Deputy Director of Diyarbakır Museum, a multidisciplinary team of archaeologists, art historians, restorers, and anthropologists was quickly assembled. On March 11, the team began a three-week rescue excavation, ultimately uncovering an intricately decorated mosaic spanning 35 square meters.

“Based on the style and motifs, we concluded that the mosaic likely dates to the late Roman or early Byzantine period,” said Çelebi. “It appears to have been the floor of a substantial structure — possibly a villa or religious building — and features rich geometric patterns.”

Star of David with a Cross and a Greek Petition

One of the most captivating aspects of the mosaic is the Star of David enclosing a cross, a striking fusion of Jewish and Christian iconography. This unique symbol has sparked widespread interest among historians and religious scholars.

Adding to the mystery is a six-line inscription written in ancient Greek, believed to be a petition or formal plea. While translations are still underway, early interpretations suggest it could relate to a spiritual request or legal declaration, possibly made by the structure’s owner or builder.

“This type of inscription, especially combined with such symbolic imagery, is rare and raises many questions about the religious and cultural interactions in the region during that period,” noted Çelebi.


A rare mosaic detail showing a Star of David containing a Christian cross—an unusual blend of religious symbols from the late Roman–early Byzantine era. Credit: DHA
A rare mosaic detail showing a Star of David containing a Christian cross—an unusual blend of religious symbols from the late Roman–early Byzantine era. Credit: DHA

Preserving a Hidden Piece of History

Following the excavation, the entire site was covered with protective materials, including geotextiles, and cordoned off to prevent damage. The area falls within what is believed to be the ancient city of Memalan, which further supports the historical significance of the discovery.

Due to its location within the modern cemetery, concerns arose among local villagers and the neighborhood muhtar (village chief) about future burial activities. However, the Cultural Heritage Preservation Board ruled that all future burials must be carried out in a separate area away from the mosaic site.

“A new burial zone will be designated to protect the mosaic,” said Çelebi. “Until then, no grave will be dug near the discovered site. The current mosaic area is now officially under protection.”


The mysterious six-line petition written in ancient Greek, found alongside the Star of David mosaic in southeastern Türkiye. Credit: DHA
The mysterious six-line petition written in ancient Greek, found alongside the Star of David mosaic in southeastern Türkiye. Credit: DHA

A Portal into the Past

Archaeologists believe that the site may be part of a larger, undiscovered settlement. Given the presence of such a high-quality mosaic and complex symbolic elements, future excavations in the Memalan region may yield further insights into the religious and social life of southeastern Anatolia during antiquity.

The discovery offers a rare glimpse into the cultural syncretism of the region, where different religious traditions and artistic expressions coexisted and intertwined.

As translation efforts on the Greek inscription continue, and scholars analyze the symbolism of the Star of David and cross motif, this seemingly routine burial has opened the door to one of the most intriguing archaeological finds in recent Diyarbakır history.

Related Articles

Ancient Dog Figurines Mini Tea Utensils on Display in Nara

21 February 2021

21 February 2021

Nara was the capital of Japan from 710 to 794, also known as the Nara period, before moving to the...

Archaeologists discovered medieval Bury St Edmunds Abbey ‘Bishop Boy’ token in Norfolk

19 December 2023

19 December 2023

Archaeologists have discovered token in Norfolk in the East of England, dating from between 1470 and 1560, given to the...

Italian Versailles being returned to its former glory through

17 May 2023

17 May 2023

The Italian Royal Palace of Caserta, a long-neglected near Naples, is being restored to its former glory through a vast...

Unique Roman-Era Association Building Unearthed in Ancient City of Sagalassos

1 October 2025

1 October 2025

Archaeologists uncover a unique Roman-era Association Building in Sagalassos, Türkiye, revealing ancient social life, guilds, and family gatherings. Archaeologists in...

An Interesting Ottoman Tradition Resembling Christmas tree: “NAHIL” OR WISHING TREE

28 December 2022

28 December 2022

Nahıl, a word of Arabic origin, means date palm. This word was later used by the people to mean the...

Ukrainian Soldiers Uncover 6th–5th Century BC Burial Site During Fortification Works

1 April 2025

1 April 2025

In a remarkable archaeological find, soldiers from the 123rd Territorial Defence Brigade have uncovered an ancient burial site dating back...

Archaeologists in Egypt unearth Roman-era cabin and royal sphinx statue

6 March 2023

6 March 2023

An Egyptian archaeological mission discovered a sphinx statue inside a Roman-era limestone cabin excavated in Egypt’s south. The artifacts were...

“Land of the Thousand Temples” Kancheepuram in India

20 May 2021

20 May 2021

Kancheepuram, one of the most sacred and religious Hindu pilgrim centers in India is also called the ‘Land of the...

8th-Century Tang Dynasty Tomb Unearthed in China Reveals Vivid Murals — and a Blond Foreigner

15 October 2025

15 October 2025

Archaeologists in northern China have uncovered an exceptionally preserved 8th-century Tang dynasty tomb whose breathtaking murals offer a window into...

A Unique 2000-Year-Old Oil Lamp Found in Israel

5 May 2021

5 May 2021

Archaeologists have discovered a rare 2,000-year-old oil lamp in David, Jerusalem. Archaeologists have discovered a rare oil lamp, shaped like...

1,800-Year-Old Sanctuary to Mithras discovered in Spain

8 February 2023

8 February 2023

Archaeologists excavating at Villa del Mitra in Cabra, Spain, have uncovered a sanctuary dedicated to the god Mithras, along with...

Anthropologists discovered a bone in the Grotte du Renne cave in France that could indicate the presence of a previously unknown lineage of Homo sapiens

9 August 2023

9 August 2023

A bone discovered in the Grotte du Renne cave in France may represent the existence of a previously unknown lineage...

An 8,500-year-old trepanned skull discovered in Çatalhöyük

23 December 2023

23 December 2023

Traces of trepanation (skull drilling operation) were found on a skull found in the 9,000-year-old Çatalhöyük, near the modern city...

Cosmic cataclysm 1,500 years ago may have caused downfall of the Hopewell Culture

3 February 2022

3 February 2022

Researchers at the University of Cincinnati find evidence of cosmic cataclysm 1,500 years ago at 11 ancient sites in three...

Celtiberian Inscription Found at La Peña del Castro: One of the Earliest Examples of Alphabetic Writing in Northern Iberia

26 February 2025

26 February 2025

La Ercina, León, Spain – Archaeological research at the La Peña del Castro site has unveiled an important discovery that...