Rare 4th Century Mosaic Floor Unearthed in Cyprus

This ancient mosaic floor shows scenes from a chariot race in the hippodrome.

ByABC News
August 10, 2016, 12:00 PM
Archeologist work on a rare mosaic floor dating to the 4th century depicting scenes from a chariot race in the hippodrome, in Akaki village outside from capital Nicosia, Cyprus, on Aug. 10, 2016.
Archeologist work on a rare mosaic floor dating to the 4th century depicting scenes from a chariot race in the hippodrome, in Akaki village outside from capital Nicosia, Cyprus, on Aug. 10, 2016.
Pavlos Vrionides/AP Photo

— -- Archaeologists in Cyprus have unearthed a rare mosaic floor that’s hundreds of years old and shows scenes in ornate detail from a chariot race in the ancient hippodrome.

Discovered in the Akaki village outside the capital Nicosia, this 4th century mosaic is the only one of its kind in Cyprus and one of only a handful in the world. It depicts complete scenes from a race in which four chariots, each pulled by four horses, are competing at the hippodrome.

Out of the many hundreds of ancient mosaic floors uncovered around the globe, only about seven portray similar chariot races at the hippodrome, according to Cyprus’ Department of Antiquities archaeologist Fryni Hadjichristofi.

"The hippodrome was very important in ancient Roman times. It was the place where the emperor appeared to his people and projected his power," Hadjichristofi told The Associated Press today.

PHOTO: The shadow of Archeologist Fryni Hadjichristofi is cast over a rare mosaic floor dating to the 4th century depicting scenes from a chariot race in the hippodrome, Aug. 10, 2016, in Akaki village outside from capital Nicosia, Cyprus.
The shadow of Archeologist Fryni Hadjichristofi is cast over a rare mosaic floor dating to the 4th century depicting scenes from a chariot race in the hippodrome, uncovered and shown to the media for the first time, Aug. 10, 2016, in Akaki village outside from capital Nicosia, Cyprus.
PHOTO: An archeologist sprays water on a rare mosaic floor dating to the 4th century depicting scenes from a chariot race in the hippodrome, in Akaki village outside from capital Nicosia, Cyprus, on Aug. 10, 2016.
An archeologist sprays water on a rare mosaic floor dating to the 4th century depicting scenes from a chariot race in the hippodrome, in Akaki village outside from capital Nicosia, Cyprus, on Aug. 10, 2016.

Derived from the Greek words hippos (“horse”) and dromos (“course”), the hippodrome was an open-air stadium used for horse and chariot racing that was a common feature of Grecian cities in the Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine eras.

Cypriot excavation crews have yet to fully uncover the unusual find, but so far the mosaic stretches 36 feet long and 13 feet across. The mosaic floor dates back to when the Eastern Mediterranean island nation was under Roman rule, and the artifact could be part of a villa that may have belonged to a wealthy inhabitant or nobleman during that period.

PHOTO: The shadow of Archeologist Fryni Hadjichristofi is cast over a rare mosaic floor dating to the 4th century depicting scenes from a chariot race in the hippodrome, Aug. 10, 2016, in Akaki village outside from capital Nicosia, Cyprus.
The shadow of Archeologist Fryni Hadjichristofi is cast over a rare mosaic floor dating to the 4th century depicting scenes from a chariot race in the hippodrome, uncovered and shown to the media for the first time, Aug. 10, 2016, in Akaki village outside from capital Nicosia, Cyprus.
PHOTO: Archeologist work on a rare mosaic floor dating to the 4th century depicting scenes from a chariot race in the hippodrome, in Akaki village outside from capital Nicosia, Cyprus, on Aug. 10, 2016.
Archeologist work on a rare mosaic floor dating to the 4th century depicting scenes from a chariot race in the hippodrome, in Akaki village outside from capital Nicosia, Cyprus, on Aug. 10, 2016.

Excavating crews working on a sewage system in the coastal city of Larnaka last month discovered another rare mosaic floor from the Roman period depicting Hercules’ Labors, according to Cyprus’ Department of Antiquities.

The department did not immediately respond to ABC News' request for comment on the latest mosaic find.

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