Ancient mosaics have a long history of helping bring clarity to the traditions and history of rich cultures.
Beginning in Mesopotamia, the practice allowed powerful cultures to show their wealth and artistic skills.
The 1,800-year-old mosaic immortalizes two men and two women, each laid out within individual squares and accompanied bySyriacinscriptions.
A team of archeologists working on the historic Castle of Urfa discovered these portraits of the deceased.
Using muted colors and simple lines, the mosaic depicts the deceased buried in the necropolis.
It was a period when Sanlurfa was known as Edessaa kingdom of cultural significance.
Detail of the mosaic.
The Kingdom of Edessa is also where Syriac dialect was developed, and Syriac literature flourished.
As the language of ancient Syria and a dialect ofAramaic, Syriac was spoken across the Fertile Crescent.
Detail of the mosaic.
Sanlurfa Metropolitan Municipality:Website|Facebook|Instagramvia [Hyperallergic]
All images via Sanlurfa Metropolitan Municipality.
