Gallery: Magnificent Roman Mosaic

Roman Bath

Roman mosaic in southern Turkey — (Image credit: University of Nebraska, Lincoln)

Archaeologists in southern Turkey are excavating an enormous mosaic, the largest of its kind in this region, that once surrounded an ancient Roman bath.

Whole Mosaic

Roman mosaic in southern Turkey — (Image credit: University of Nebraska, Lincoln)

The mosaic covers 1,600 square feet (149 square meters) and seems to surround a large bath or pool.

Mosaic Panorama

Roman mosaic in southern Turkey — (Image credit: University of Nebraska, Lincoln)

The Roman mosaic found in Antoichia ad Cragum, an ancient city along the southern Turkey coast.

Mosaic Tiles

Roman mosaic in southern Turkey — (Image credit: University of Nebraska, Lincoln)

A farmer's plow first turned up tiles from the mosaic nearly 10 years ago, alerting archaeologists to the find.

Colorful Mosaic Patterns

Roman mosaic in southern Turkey — (Image credit: University of Nebraska, Lincoln)

Each section of the mosaic features its own geometric design.

Sweeping the Mosaic

Roman mosaic in southern Turkey — (Image credit: University of Nebraska, Lincoln)

Archaeologists have about 40 percent of the mosaic floor uncovered. They will continue excavating in summer 2013.

Mosaic, Revealed

Roman mosaic in southern Turkey — (Image credit: University of Nebraska, Lincoln)

An overhead view of the mosaic excavation.

Aphrodite Head

(Image credit: Michael Hoff, University of Nebraska-Lincoln)

The head of an Aphrodite sculpture was discovered in southern Turkey during archaeological excavations.

Roman Bath Turkey

(Image credit: Michael Hoff, University of Nebraska-Lincoln)

The dig site at Antiochia ad Cragum, where researchers have discovered a huge mosaic decorating a Roman bath.

Stephanie Pappas is a contributing writer for Live Science, covering topics ranging from geoscience to archaeology to the human brain and behavior. She was previously a senior writer for Live Science but is now a freelancer based in Denver, Colorado, and regularly contributes to Scientific American and The Monitor, the monthly magazine of the American Psychological Association. Stephanie received a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of South Carolina and a graduate certificate in science communication from the University of California, Santa Cruz.