Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Journal of Mosaic Research, cilt.2023, sa.16, ss.343-359, 2023 (ESCI)
Archaeological excavations started in 2009 at the ancient harbour settlement of Bathonea on the Firuzköy Peninsula in the Küçükçekmece Lake Basin on the western side of Istanbul. The excavations uncovered harbours, roads, squares, water structures, military, civil and religious buildings dating between the IVth century BC and the XIth century AD. In the area coded as Area 8, surrounded by the remains of a fortress, a building with a square exterior and octagonal interior plan, a domed structure and a crypt is thought to be a martyrion due to its characteristics. During the excavations carried out in this building, a geometrical floor slab in opus sectile technique was unearthed. In addition, mosaic pavements were recovered from the dome, arches, vaults and walls of the building. The tesserae, which appear to have been embedded in a thick plaster, are made of natural stones such as green, blue, yellow, red, white, marble, glass and tiles, as well as many gold and silver gilded ones. In this paper, the fragments of the geometric opus sectile floor tile, some of which were found in situ, and its compositional characteristics are analyzed. The floor was compared with similar examples from different archaeological sites. The architectural features, mosaics and finds of the building are dated between the IVth and VIth centuries. It is believed that the building was destroyed by a great earthquake in the 6th century. Therefore, no information could be obtained about the decoration of the mosaic decorations on the upper cover system of the building.