A farmer planting saplings in eastern Türkiye has inadvertently led archaeologists to a sprawling Roman-era villa complex containing an enormous mosaic, a bathhouse, a church, a grain store and a child’s grave.
The discovery was made in Salkaya village in Elazığ, where a farmer first encountered mosaic remains while working in his field.
After the find was reported to the Elazığ Museum Directorate, archaeologists launched a rescue excavation in 2023. What initially appeared to be an isolated mosaic has since developed into evidence of a substantial settlement dating to the Late Roman and Early Byzantine periods.
Huge Mosaic Leads to Roman Villa
Excavations fully exposed an 84-square-metre mosaic in 2024, making it one of the most striking discoveries at the site.
Further investigation revealed that the mosaic formed part of a much larger villa complex rather than an isolated structure.
Archaeologists subsequently uncovered the remains of a bathhouse, a church and an area believed to have been used for grain storage. A child’s grave dating to approximately the same period was also discovered near the church.
The significance of the discoveries led to the project being upgraded from a rescue excavation to an official museum excavation in 2025.
Work is being conducted under the auspices of the Elazığ Museum, with the Elazığ Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism coordinating the project and archaeologist Mehmet Kayhan Murat serving as the scientific adviser.
Who Owned the Villa?
Researchers have dated the settlement to the Late Roman and Early Byzantine periods, with evidence also connecting the site to the early Christian era.
The identity of the villa’s original owner remains uncertain. Officials have suggested the extensive complex may once have belonged to a wealthy mining merchant, a regional ruler, or a local military commander.
Elazığ Governor Numan Hatipoğlu said continuing excavations were producing increasingly significant discoveries.
The combination of residential, religious and economic structures could provide archaeologists with valuable evidence about everyday life and wealth in the region during the transition from Roman to Byzantine rule.
Authorities are now working on plans to make the Salkaya archaeological site accessible to visitors.
Transport and infrastructure improvements are being considered as officials seek to incorporate the newly discovered settlement into Elazığ’s cultural tourism network.
Excavations are continuing, and archaeologists expect further discoveries as they investigate deeper and previously unexplored sections of the complex.
Sources : İHA
