Rare 1st-century mosaic from King Abgar unearthed in Turkey

PanARMENIAN.Net - Rare ancient mosaics, believed to date back to the 1st century BC, have been unearthed in the southeastern Sanliurfa province of Turkey, the municipality said, according to Daily Sabah.

Archaeologists have discovered five mosaics from Abgar V - often described as King of Armenian Mesopotamia - (BC 4 – AD 7), the fifth ruler of the kingdom of Osroene (132 BC to AD 244), depicting fine engravings and Syriac inscriptions, as part of a project titled "The Castle Skirts". The mosaics will be displayed in museums after their restoration is completed.

Within the scope of the project carried out on an area of some 45,000 square meters in Sanliurfa, nearly 80 tombs have been restored so far, while roads have been built and environmental arrangements have been made to preserve the artifacts.

It is believed that Abgar V was one of the first Christian kings in history, having been converted to the faith by the Apostle Thaddeus of Edessa, one of the Seventy-two Disciples sent out to spread Christianity.

The tomb of the family of king Abgar was reportedly found in July, archaeologists believe that 10 members of his family are buried there.