Mosaic is a unique branch of art that presents the history and culture it conveys from the past to the present literally as a visual feast. Although we are often swept up in the story and colors of this feast, behind it is an incredible mosaic craftsmanship that requires eyes, mathematics, reflexes, observation, patience and love. Mosaic, which was defined as the whole of artistic works in the form of forming, making geometrical images, patterns, signs or floor covering by bringing together pebbles and indistinct pieces of stone in the early ages, is an extraordinary art in terms of its description of gods, people, animals, plants with geometric shapes and color sequences using a collection of small stone or glass pieces.
The earliest known mosaic pieces are dated back to 3400s B.C. It developed in the Hellenistic period and had its golden age in the Roman period. Antakya, which has had mosaic workshops and mosaic schools since ancient times, has been a home to the best masters since ancient times. The “Skeleton Mosaic” of the 3rd century AD, inscribed with the word “joy”, which has been recently discovered in this region, is considered one of the rarest mosaic works worldwide. In addition to these, a very rich mosaic collection from the Roman period is exhibited in the Hatay Archeology Museum. The museum is the largest mosaic museum in the world with these works. These works of art made on massive areas arouse admiration even today.
