In the past few days, a new archaeological mystery was unveiled in a 2,300-year-old Greek city, known as the ancient city of Teos. A team of archaeologists led by Mantha Zarmakoupi has found a monumental inscription that was purposefully attempted to be erased at some point in history, along with an exquisite mosaic depicting two cupids fighting, among the ruins of its bouleuterion, the structure that housed the city’s assemblies.
An unprecedented archaeological hidden message has been discovered in a Greek city
This discovery, which is a component of the University of Ankara’s Teos Archaeological Project, provides a rare glimpse into the history of one of the most significant Hellenistic cities. The lack of contemporary buildings on the property has given the researchers access to well-preserved archaeological structures during their four years of work in this enclave. The latest findings are now offering fresh insights into Teos’s development and the changes made to its public structures over the ages. Theos’ bureaucracy was much more than just a straightforward office archaeological structure. These buildings reflected the democratic ethos of the Greek city-states during the Hellenistic era by providing gathering places for citizens with the right to take part in local affairs.
However, as the excavation has shown, the structure not only kept its initial purpose but also experienced several changes over the ages. It was built in the third century B.C., during the height of the Hellenistic era, according to the earliest architectural evidence. During the Roman era, the structure was modified for new use. Remains of a stage that may have been used for theatrical performances have been discovered by archaeologists. To increase its uses and emphasize its significance in the city’s social life, a massive portico was also constructed. However, the artistic and epigraphic treasures discovered beneath the bouleuterion’s remains were the most illuminating feature of the excavation, not the building itself.
One of the most remarkable archaeological discoveries has been the discovery of two mosaics in the rooms next to the bouleuterion. Notable is the one that shows two cupids engaged in combat, a theme that is both aesthetically arresting and deeply significant. In Greek mythology, Dionysus, the god of wine and theater, was frequently connected to the influence of cupids, winged figures connected to Eros, the god of love. The fact that Teos was home to a temple honoring Dionysus is no accident and supports the notion that the city was a significant cultural hub associated with the arts and Dionysian celebrations. Being one of the few surviving instances of this era in the area, the discovery of these mosaics, which date to the third century BC, is particularly significant.
Furthermore, their position raises the possibility that the rooms in which they were discovered served a unique purpose inside the bouleuterion, possibly connected to rituals or exclusive meetings associated with the religion of Dionysus. Apart from the mosaics, the most fascinating discovery has been a set of building blocks that were formerly a part of the façade of the bouleuterion. It is startling to learn that a monumental inscription on these slabs was purposefully removed. The original characters of the inscription, which were around 30 cm high, should have been readable from the building’s entryway and most likely honored the patron who provided funding for its creation or renovation. However, someone decided to delete its contents at some point in Teos’ history, leaving only remnants of the letters in specific light conditions.
Thanks to 3D modeling technology and the analysis of masonry marks that reveal the original location of each archaeological block, archaeologists have been able to reconstruct a significant portion of the inscription. The inscription has never been finished, although preliminary theories indicate that it might be about a group of Dionysian painters who were banished after once flourishing on Theos. If this argument is correct, the removed inscription might be proof of a period of censorship or a shift in the city’s control. Some people’s names were deleted, which implies that their memory was purposefully suppressed—possibly as part of a theological or political reorganization at Theos.
