One of the best-preserved Roman houses in Zeugma, the House of the Muses, now has a protective structure designed to prevent damage to its mosaics and provide visitors with an improved touring experience. The project, initiated by the Governorship of Gaziantep and supported by Türkiye İş Bankası— which had also contributed to the excavation work—has recently been completed.
938 Artifacts Unearthed
Between 2012 and 2019, excavations at the House of the Muses—carried out under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Kutalmış Görkay of Ankara University’s Faculty of Language, History and Geography—brought 938 artifacts to light, all of which were transferred to the Gaziantep Archaeology Museum. Following the excavations, Türkiye İş Bankası continued its commitment to cultural heritage by funding the construction of a climate-appropriate protective structure that both shields the mosaics and allows the site to be safely visited.
The House of the Muses takes its name from a mosaic depicting the nine Muses—goddesses of literature, history, music, and philosophy in classical Greek education. This mosaic highlights the artistic and cultural significance of the residence.
Sustaining Cultural Heritage
Türkiye İş Bankası Deputy General Manager Suat Sözen emphasized that archaeological work illuminates not only the past but also the present and the future:
“Preserving and passing on the archaeological richness of these lands, which bear traces of diverse civilizations, is of great importance. Projects like this can only become sustainable through long-term and consistent support. By contributing to the construction of the protective structure after the excavations, we continued our responsibility for conservation.”
Prof. Dr. Kutalmış Görkay, head of the excavation team, stated that the research at the House of the Muses has offered a new perspective on mosaic history. He noted that the house dates to the late 1st or early 2nd century AD and that its mosaics and frescoes contain valuable clues about the social life of the period.
Türkiye İş Bankası’s contributions to archaeological research and heritage preservation extend beyond Zeugma, also supporting excavations in the ancient cities of Nysa (Aydın), Stratonikeia (Muğla), Tripolis, and Laodikeia (Denizli).
