Roman 'cold plunge' pool, floor mosaic discovered in ancient Turkish gymnasium complex

Archaeologists in Turkey have unearthed a 2,000-year-old cold plunge pool and a Roman-era floor mosaic in the ancient city of Tralleis. The pool, found in the frigidarium of the Hamam Gymnasium complex, measures 37 by 12 meters and could hold around 300 people. A separate excavation revealed a well-preserved mosaic of the hippocampus, a sea creature from Greek mythology. The discoveries were made as part of the country's 'Legacy for the Future' project, led by Professor Dr. Murat Cekilmez of Aydin Adnan Menderes University.

Archaeologists in Turkey have uncovered two significant Roman-era finds in the ancient city of Tralleis, located in the southwestern province of Aydin. The discoveries were made as part of the country's 'Legacy for the Future' project. Two weeks ago, Turkey's Culture and Tourism Ministry announced the discovery of a 2,000-year-old cold plunge pool inside the frigidarium of the Hamam Gymnasium complex. The pool measures approximately 37 meters long and 12 meters wide, with a capacity to hold around 300 people. It is believed to have been used by young people training at the gymnasium. The excavation was led by Professor Dr. Murat Cekilmez of Aydin Adnan Menderes University. In late July, a separate excavation unearthed a nearly 2,000-year-old hall with a Roman-era floor mosaic depicting the hippocampus, a sea creature from Greek mythology associated with Poseidon. Cekilmez noted that the area initially appeared to house only a Byzantine-era workshop, but further excavation revealed the well-preserved mosaic beneath. The mosaic indicates the hall was actively used during the Roman Imperial period. Cekilmez explained that the Hamam Gymnasium complex was an important educational institution where children learned from an early age, and it trained scholars including doctors and engineers. Tralleis was known in antiquity for producing writers and scientists.