During a funeral in the village of Memelan (tr. Özbilek) in the Ergani district of Amed (Diyarbakır), an important archaeological mosaic from late antiquity has come to light. According to the museum authority in the province, it is a floor mosaic measuring approximately 35 square meters, which is attributed to the late Roman or early Byzantine Empire.
Particularly striking is the combination of a Star of David with an incorporated cross and a six-line Greek inscription. Experts interpret this as an indication of the cultural and religious diversity of the region during the transition from antiquity to the early Middle Ages.
Symbolic diversity: Cross in the Star of David
The discovery was made in March during excavation work for a burial, prompting the museum authorities to send an archaeological team to the site. The subsequent rescue excavations lasted around three weeks and uncovered well-preserved sections of the mosaic. Once the work was completed, the area was placed under protection and covered with a special tarpaulin.
Müjdat Gizligöl, acting director of the Diyarbakır Museum, told the media that the mosaic has two separate areas with different motifs. A central octagon features geometric patterns accompanied by contrasting colored ornaments, teardrop shapes, and an elongated cartouche with a Greek inscription. The Star of David with an integrated cross motif is located in a prominent area and is currently being examined in detail.
“The inscription is badly damaged, but we are working on deciphering it completely,” said Gizligöl. The ensemble contradicts the widespread assumption that the Eastern Roman Empire only had limited access to the east of the Euphrates. The finds instead prove a permanent presence.
Important piece of the puzzle in understanding ancient Southeast Anatolia
According to museum officials, the find is only the second mosaic discovered in situ in present-day Amed, following an earlier find in the district near Çınar.
Gizligöl sees the discovery as an important piece of the puzzle in understanding ancient Southeast Anatolia: “It shows that the region is not only shaped by its Islamic-Ottoman history, but also has a deep-rooted late antique and Christian dimension.”
The site is located around 66 kilometers from the city center, near a now-dry riverbed that once supplied a Roman village or villa-like estate. In close consultation with the authorities, the site was covered with soil again to protect it from the weather and interference. However, the museum aims to resume scientific excavations in the long term. This is conditional on the site no longer being used as a cemetery, which would require an alternative burial site to be provided for the local population.
Preserving a place for future generations
“We want to preserve this place as a legacy for future generations,” said Gizligöl. The combination of religious symbolism and architectural quality makes the mosaic unique—not only for the region, but for the entire cultural memory of Anatolia.
Source: ANF News
