4th century "rare" Roman mosaic floor unearthed in Syria's Homs

Photo taken on Oct. 12, 2022 shows part of a Roman-era mosaic panel in al-Rastan, Homs, Syria. A well-preserved Roman-era mosaic panel was discovered in a residential suburb in the Syrian central province of Homs, local antiquities authorities announced on Wednesday. (Photo by Ammar Safarjalani/Xinhua)

HOMS, Syria, Oct. 12 (Xinhua) -- A well-preserved Roman-era mosaic panel was discovered in a residential suburb in the Syrian central province of Homs, local antiquities authorities announced on Wednesday.

The relic, which dates back to the 4th century, is inlaid with thousands of colored mosaic pieces made of small grains and glass in a pattern unique among existing excavations, Syrian archeologists told Xinhua in the city of al-Rastan, where it was discovered.

Twenty meters long and six meters wide, the flooring panel belongs to a building's hall, probably a castle, said the archeologists from Homs and Damascus, adding that some other fragments to the entire mosaic are yet to be unearthed.

Nevertheless, more than 90 percent of the painting's details are intact, said Hummam Saad, director of the excavation and archaeological studies at the Directorate General for Antiquities and Museums, who dubbed it the "most complete and rare" painting unearthed in Syria.

He noted that with detailed precision, the mosaic depicts a rare scene of Amazon characters, a water deity and nymphs of Greek mythology, while showing names of the kings who participated in the legendary Trojan War fought in western Anatolia.

Hussam Hamish, director of Homs' archeology department, told Xinhua that the relic was found in very good condition and is of "global significance" in terms of the depicted ancient spectacle and the craftmanship involved.

Eight other mosaic panels have been detected in al-Rastan, and the excavation work is continuing, according to Syrian archeologists.