24 October 2025 The Future is the Product of the Past

Mosaic Discovered in Illegal Dig in Zile Points to Ancient Roman Public Structure

Zile, a district in the Tokat province of northern Türkiye, has long been recognized as one of Anatolia’s most historically rich settlements. With a history dating back nearly 900,000 years, Zile has served as a cradle for numerous civilizations, including the Hittites, Phrygians, and Romans.

Recently, an intricately crafted Roman mosaic was unearthed during an illegal excavation in the region—an unexpected find that now sheds new light on Zile’s ancient past and its possible role as a Roman civic center.

Mosaic Suggests Presence of a Roman Public Building

The mosaic was discovered during an unauthorized dig in Zile and has since captured the attention of archaeologists and heritage authorities. Initial expert assessments suggest that the mosaic likely adorned the floor of a public building from the Roman period. The presence of vibrant green, yellow, blue, and white tiles, alongside inscriptions referring to “abundance, prosperity, peace, and well-being,” strongly indicate a public or communal function of the site.

According to archaeologist Halis Alıcı, from the Yağıbasan Madrasa Museum of Turkish-Islamic Science History, such mosaics are commonly associated with Roman civic architecture. “We typically encounter mosaics of this kind in Roman public buildings — military recruitment centers, health facilities, marketplaces, or political meeting spaces,” Alıcı stated. He added that the stylistic and chromatic features of the mosaic point to a date ranging from the mid to late Roman period, potentially around 400 BCE or later.

Initial expert assessments suggest that the mosaic likely adorned the floor of a public building from the Roman period. Credit: İHA
Initial expert assessments suggest that the mosaic likely adorned the floor of a public building from the Roman period. Credit: İHA

Not Just Art—A Message of Civic Identity

Experts emphasize that Roman mosaics often served purposes beyond decoration. These works were symbolic representations of power, ideology, and public values. The specific words found in the Zile mosaic — abundance, prosperity, peace, and well-being — echo the ideals of civic life promoted during the Roman Empire, particularly in public spaces used for governance or communal activity.



📣 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!!



This discovery underscores the sociopolitical importance of the site and suggests that Zile may have held regional administrative or military significance during the Roman period.

A Site of Rich Archaeological Potential

Zile has previously yielded significant finds from multiple historical eras, including the nearby Horoztepe and Maşat Höyük excavation sites. However, this newly discovered mosaic not only adds a layer to Zile’s Roman history but also highlights the ongoing threat of illegal excavations. Fortunately, local authorities quickly intervened, covering the mosaic with a protective tent and tarp to prevent further damage while plans for formal excavation and preservation are developed.

Zile’s Tourism and Cultural Value on the Rise

As public awareness of the mosaic grows, there is hope that the site will soon become an officially recognized archaeological zone, contributing to Zile’s cultural tourism potential. Locals and history enthusiasts alike are calling for proper preservation, documentation, and eventual public exhibition of the mosaic, which could become a central attraction in promoting Zile’s ancient heritage.

A New Chapter in Tokat’s Roman Legacy

This remarkable find is more than just a beautiful floor decoration—it is a window into the civic life of ancient Zile and a testament to its historical depth. As scientific excavations continue, archaeologists expect more insights into urban planning, community structure, and Roman influence in northern Anatolia. The mosaic may be the beginning of a new chapter in Tokat and Zile’s archaeological narrative.

Cover Image Credit: İHA

Related Articles

Beehives of Saudi Arabia’s Thought to be Over 1,000 Years Old

20 July 2024

20 July 2024

Located in the majestic Sarawat Mountain range in western Saudi Arabia, the ancient beehives in the Maysan Governorate constitute a...

A Celtiberian city more than 2000 years old found in Spain

16 July 2023

16 July 2023

The Polytechnic University of Madrid announced the discovery of a Roman camp and the Celtiberian city of Titiakos in the...

11,000-Year-Old LSU Campus Mounds Are Oldest Known Human-Made Structures In North America

23 August 2022

23 August 2022

According to new research published in the American Journal of Science, two six-meter (20-foot) high mounds on the campus of...

A Unique Discovery in Europe: Ancient Stone Circles Cover 2,800-Year-Old Graves of Children in Norway

29 June 2024

29 June 2024

Archaeologists from the Museum of Cultural History in Oslo discovered an unknown burial site in a quarry near Fredrikstad, in...

Ruins of China’s earliest state academy found in east China

21 February 2022

21 February 2022

The ruins of ancient China‘s first government-run institution of higher learning, built in 374 BC, have been discovered in the...

For the first time, researchers discovered bioarchaeological evidence of familial embalming in early modern France

16 November 2024

16 November 2024

A unique discovery has revealed new insights into the burial rituals of early modern Western Europe: For the first time,...

From Destruction to Discovery: Ancient Greek Tombstone Discovered in Libya After Storm ‘Daniel’

2 March 2025

2 March 2025

The Libyan Antiquities Authority has officially confirmed that an ancient artifact uncovered in the torrents caused by Storm “Daniel” in...

7 Gold Pendants Found Buried by Ancient Scandinavian Elites as a Sacrifice to the Gods

13 May 2021

13 May 2021

7 gold necklaces were found in a field near the Norwegian municipality of Østfold County Rade. Researchers believe that these...

Hannibal’s Italian Ally: 170 Meters of Fortifications and 450 Roman Lead Projectiles Discovered

20 June 2025

20 June 2025

Archaeologists in Ugento, a city in southern Italy that once sided with Hannibal during the Second Punic War, have uncovered...

Early Anatolian Genes: Genetic Links Between Girmeler Mound and 17,000-Year-Old Pınarbaşı Skeletons

16 April 2025

16 April 2025

Recent archaeological excavations at Girmeler Mound, located near the ancient Lycian city of Tlos in southwestern Türkiye, have not only...

A rare 2500-year-old saw, the first of its kind, discovered in Anatolia

28 November 2023

28 November 2023

Archaeologists conducting excavations in Çorum, the capital of the Ancient Hittite Empire in northern Turkey, discovered a 2,250-year-old saw. Recent...

Negev desert archaeological site offers important clues about modern human origin

22 June 2021

22 June 2021

The archaeological excavation site at Boker Tachtit in Israel’s central Negev desert offers evidence to one of human history’s most...

Uncovering the People of the Sunken Land: Homo erectus Rises Again in the Madura Strait

13 October 2025

13 October 2025

Beneath the waves between Java and Madura, scientists have unearthed the first underwater fossils of Homo erectus— revealing a lost...

Gate sanctuary discovered during the excavation of Archanes palace in Crete, belonging to the oldest civilisation in Europe

24 October 2024

24 October 2024

Recent excavations at the Archanes Minoan palace in Crete, belonging to the oldest civilisation in Europe, have revealed an important...

Researchers Define the Borders of El Argar, the First State-Society in the Iberian Peninsula

18 March 2025

18 March 2025

Recent research conducted by scholars from the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) and the Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology...