Living Above History: For years, Turkish farmers transformed an ancient bathhouse into stables. (See photos)

In the ancient city of Heraclea, located in western Turkey, archaeologists have uncovered a Roman-era bath adorned with mosaics depicting exotic animals. Although local residents converted the bath into a stable, the images of crocodiles, dolphins, flamingos, and eels have surprisingly remained well-preserved, writes Arkeonews.

The excavations are part of the "Heritage for the Future" project led by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Turkey, under the direction of Professor Zelihah Gider Büyükeser from Selçuk University.

She emphasized the significance of the discovery, stating: "The Roman-era bath is the best-preserved structure in this area. The excavations, which revealed over two meters of stratification, provided important archaeological data about its design and use."

One of the highlights of the discovery is the mosaic in the frigidarium, the cold-water room, depicting six crocodiles facing each other. Since crocodiles do not inhabit this region, scholars believe that the artist, likely a wandering master, created these mosaics after encounters with the animals elsewhere.

In the tepidarium, the warm-water room, additional mosaics showcase flamingos surrounded by dolphins and eels, with the birds' beaks crafted from red stones. Professor Büyükeser explained that the flamingos, which can still be found in this area today, indicate a connection between the mosaics and the local environment, blending wildlife observation with artistic interpretation.

The robust structure of the bath has played a role in preserving the mosaics, which stand as a testament to the craftsmanship of that era. Over the centuries, this site has been utilized in various ways, including as stables.

The researcher noted: "The current owners have shared stories about how they tied their animals here. It’s fascinating to see how this structure served the community in different ways."

For the local residents, this discovery has been both surprising and transformative. Turchen Aydın, a 68-year-old resident of the Kapıkırı district, expressed his astonishment: "I tied my animals here for years to protect them from the weather. When the mosaics were revealed, I was shocked. We lived above history without even realizing it."

This find not only deepens the understanding of Roman-era art but also highlights the historical richness of the region, offering both locals and researchers a new perspective on their cultural heritage.

We also reported on a treasure, discovered in the Jordan Valley. Archaeologists found coins dating back to Alexander Jannaeus (104-76 BCE).