Ancient Mosaic With Bible Inscriptions Found in Turkey

A 120 square meter mosaic with inscriptions from the Bible has been discovered in Adana, Turkey, in the result of excavations conducted by the Cultural Heritage Department of Culture and Tourism Ministry and the Province's Directorate of Museums.

The excavations are aimed at finding exhibition showpieces for the new museum under construction, head of Provincial Culture and Tourism Directorate Sabri Tari told RIA Novosti. The mosaic was found at the very first site the researchers looked out of the existing 15.

"We were excited to discover the artifact. It will be one of the rare pieces in our museum. Following restoration and renovation projects at the laboratory, the new museum will display all discovered artifacts," Tari said.

The archeological treasure is 15 meter by 8 meter and dates back to the 5-6th centuries A.D. Apart from Bible quotes, the mosaic features 16 images of domestic and wild animals — including a snake, lion, sheep, leopard, wolf, goat and bull — living close to each other, sharing the same pasture and eating each other's food.

The related text, written on the mosaic in Greek, is a quotation from the Biblical chapter of Isaiah. It says:

‘The wolf and the lamb will feed together, the lion will eat straw like the ox and dust will be the serpent's food. They will neither harm nor destroy on my holy mountain, says the Lord.'

Further research will be conducted in the laboratory department at the soon to be built museum complex on the territory of the historical National Textile Factory in Adana.