Gallery: Magnificent Roman Mosaic

Roman Bath

Roman mosaic in southern Turkey

(Image credit: University of Nebraska, Lincoln)

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
Live Science Contributor

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.