A 1,500-year-old mosaic was found while cleaning a historic mill in Mardin.

Work has been initiated to open up a privately owned historical mill to tourism in the Beyazsu recreation area of ​​the Sivrice Neighborhood of the Çağ Çağ Stream Valley, which is located between the Midyat and Nusaybin districts and boasts many ancient castles, caravanserais and archaeological settlements.

During the cleaning work carried out by the property owners, mosaics were discovered on the floor of the mill and the Mardin Museum Directorate was informed.

Following an investigation by the Museum Directorate, work has begun to register the site. In this context, a rescue excavation was decided upon with the permission of the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage and Museums of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

During the rescue excavation, conducted under the leadership of Mardin Museum Director İdris Akgül, archaeologists Volkan Bağlaycı and Mehmet Şan, and experts with the support of the property owner, mosaic floor coverings of different colors were found in two areas inside the mill.

In the mosaic floors, geometric shapes such as square, rectangle, circle and triangle, as well as wave, knot, cross and infinity motifs, and the inscription "Tittos Domestikos" were found.

Mardin Museum Director and Excavation Director Akgül told an AA correspondent that they conducted inspections at the site following an application from the property owner.

Akgül, who explained that they discovered a mosaic floor on the floor of the historic mill during the first examination, said:

The mill was built as an extension in later periods. The building remains containing the mosaic date back to an earlier date. During our excavation of the mosaic floor, we found more geometric motifs in Room 1. What pleased and excited us most was the presence of an inscription on the mosaic. The inscription consists of two words (Tittos Domestikos). Tittos is a proper name, but when we look at Domestikos, it appears more as a title in sources. It is known that individuals with this title were often employed in military units and churches as officials. We unearthed a mosaic of approximately 40 square meters. The main panels feature medallions shaped like knot motifs, and within these medallions, we have identified geometric shapes and motifs that we can identify as crosses. When we look at the building remains, the area expands towards other plots. Although we don't know exactly what happened in the initial phase, we can say from the inscription that this was a building belonging to a civilian administrator.

Akgül stated that they will obtain more accurate information about the structure after the conservation work (the work of preserving works of art such as paintings and sculptures so that they do not lose their characteristics for generations) to be carried out in the area, adding that this was one of the first areas they conducted direct excavations in this location, and that they believe this will provide them with more accurate information about the dating of the region.

Akgül thanked the property owners for informing the Mardin Museum Directorate about the mosaic area, saying, "This is a business, a facility. The property owner has suggestions for developing a project and opening it to visitors. There are also plans to exhibit the mosaic in this area after the work is completed."

Reşit Coşkun, one of the property owners, said they are carrying out cleaning work to open the ruined historic water mill, which they know is about 150 years old, to tourism and commerce.

Coşkun explained that during the work, they found remains on the ground that they thought might be cultural assets, and said:

"We stopped work to prevent damage to the archaeological site. We informed the Museum Directorate. Thankfully, they quickly came to the site and scanned the ground. They found mosaics here. We were expecting a date of 100-150 years, but the mosaics revealed that the site is much older."

Coşkun stated that they want to prepare the necessary projects within the Ministry and open the area to tourism, and that such areas should be included in the country's history.

Coşkun, emphasizing that these areas are a heritage site, said, "These should remain in our country and be utilized for tourism. Every citizen should act this way. This place is much older than we anticipated. We were thrilled to find a mosaic for the first time on the Midyat-Nusaybin line. I'm sure it will contribute greatly to both tourism and our country."