In the town of Rastan, outside Homs, Syrian officials uncovered a massive Roman mosaic. This discovery, according to some experts, happens to be the most important archaeological discovery in the country in the last two decades.
The region, which is rich in cultural heritage, was retaken by the Syrian government in 2018. The mosaic was uncovered by a team from Syria’s General Directorate of Antiquities and Museums.
The mosaic which dates back to the 4th century CE was bought by Syrian and Lebanese businessmen affiliated with Lebanon’s Nabu Museum and donated to the Syrian state. It measures some 1,300 square feet. Each panel is inlaid with small, colorful stones that portray the Amazon warriors in Roman mythology.
“What is in front of us is a discovery that is rare on a global scale,” Humam Saad, the associate director of the excavation and archaeological research at the directorate, told the Associated Press.
He added that the images are “rich in details,” and include episodes from the Trojan War, as well as the depiction of the Roman sea god Neptune and 40 of his mistresses.
Rastan has been the epicenter of various skirmishes and occupations that have endangered Syrian heritage sites. This is the first significant excavation in Rastan since 2011. Ground efforts to restore Syria’s monuments and museums to their former glory are underway with international aid.
Sulaf Fawakherji, a Syrian actress says that “Rastan historically is an important city, and it could possibly be a very important heritage city for tourism,”