Ancient Book of Revelation city gives up stunning secret buried for 1,500 years

An ancient mosaic was recently revealed in a Turkish city long known for being one of the seven churches mentioned in the Book of Revelation.The artwork was uncovered in the ancient city of Smyrna, an archaeological site in modern-day İzmir, Türkiye, according to Turkish state news outlet Anadolu Agency (AA).Smyrna — along with Ephesus, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea — is one of the seven churches of Asia Minor addressed by Jesus in the Book of Revelation.ARCHAEOLOGISTS UNEARTH ANCIENT TREASURE CACHE AT BIBLICAL CITY CONNECTED TO GENESISRevelation 2:8 states: "To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again."The mosaic was found during infrastructure work at the archaeological site. It dates to between the fourth and sixth centuries A.D., according to officials, and measures roughly 16.4 by 8.2 feet.Photos show archaeologists brushing away centuries of dirt to reveal the remarkably preserved 1,500-year-old mosaic and its geometric and floral motifs.Excavation director Akın Ersoy said the mosaic was first found last year, but archaeologists did not fully excavate the artwork until this year, according to AA.LOST SERMONS FROM ONE OF CHRISTIANITY'S GREATEST SAINTS DISCOVERED AFTER 1,600 YEARS"In connection with this, we also found traces of the walls that defined the space," said Ersoy."We believe that a structure was built over the mosaic during the Ottoman period in the 19th century, and that the new layout was created while avoiding damage to the mosaic floor as much as possible."The most striking motif is the heart-shaped ivy leaf, which is made of red tesserae, or mosaic tiles.Though modern people see the heart as a symbol of love, Ersoy said the mosaic was created long before the symbol came to represent romance.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER"It was not very clear in the early periods that the heart represented affection and love.