Abstract:

Archaeological excavations undertaken between the years 2007-2012 at the episcopal church in Rhodiapolis have revealed a rich collection of mosaic pavements. Opus tessellatum mosaics of the basilical church were designed with geometric patterns chosen from Late Antique inventory. The church situated in the acropolis of Rhodiapolis having three naves, an apse on the east with the adjoining rooms is the typical example of early basilical design. No traces of any pavement have been found at the diakonikon during the fieldwork. However, the floor of the adjacent chapel was paved with stone slabs. The pavement in the bema is unfortunately in a poor condition, but some in-situ slabs indicate that this section, limited with the templon was paved with stone slabs as well. Recent excavations have uncovered the mosaics in the nave and narthex. The vegetational activity and illegal excavations by treasure hunters have remarkably damaged the mosaics in the nave where the rubble deposit is relatively fewer. Thereby the large portion of the pavement in the nave has not survived. The narthex is preserved in a better condition. Due to the termination of fieldwork in 2012, conservation and restoration works could not be completed and the mosaic design at the west of the nave and narthex not revealed. Aisles, prothesis and the east part of the nave were uncovered between 2008 and 2011, and the mosaic floor was restored. These restored mosaics have been analyzed in this study. The Rhodiapolis mosaic pavements consist of simple arrangements of Late Antique mosaic tradition common in 5th century. The basic motives used, include geometric patterns connected with knotted arrangements. Detailed analysis of motives indicate that the closest parallels date to the 5th and 6th centuries. Considering the similarities with the neighbouring settlements, the Rhodiapolis mosaics are likely to be dated to 5th century.

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