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

Stephanie Pappas is a contributing writer for Live Science. She covers the world of human and animal behavior, as well as paleontology and other science topics. Stephanie has a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the University of South Carolina and a graduate certificate in science communication from the University of California, Santa Cruz. She has ducked under a glacier in Switzerland and poked hot lava with a stick in Hawaii. Stephanie hails from East Tennessee, the global center for salamander diversity. Follow Stephanie on Google+.