Zeugma Ancient City Zeugma is an ancient city located in Belkis Village, resting on the banks of the Euphrates River, approximately 10 kilometers (6 miles) east of Nizip/Gaziantep. This city has been inhabited continuously since prehistoric times and is distinguished as one of the two key crossing points on either side of the Euphrates. Throughout its history, Zeugma played a vital role as a trade hub thanks to its strategic position facilitating both land and river routes. In the Hellenistic Period, Zeugma rose to prominence as one of Anatolia’s major cities. The arrival of the Roman Empire further elevated its status, especially with the establishment of a military base for the 4th Legion. This era also witnessed a boom in artistic expression, contributing significantly to Zeugma's cultural richness. Ongoing archaeological digs have uncovered numerous Roman villas adorned with exquisite floor mosaics. Tourists from across the globe visit Zeugma to admire these exceptional mosaics, which vividly portray various Greek mythological deities and can be seen decorating the floors of pools, dining areas, and chambers. Although Zeugma has been excavated multiple times, the site suffered a major loss in 2000 when the ruins were submerged due to the construction of the Birecik Dam. Despite this, the ancient city continues to be a vital cultural and historical landmark, providing important knowledge about the region’s heritage. In 2000, David W. Packard, a generous American donor, learned about Zeugma through the New York Times and chose to support an urgent excavation project. He commissioned the Oxford Archaeological Unit, led by Robert Earley, to recruit mosaic experts and enlisted a French team to salvage valuable artifacts from the old town along the Euphrates before it was flooded by the Birecik Dam. With funding amounting to five million dollars, a team of 60 archaeologists and 200 laborers worked collaboratively to excavate three sectors of the site between June and October 2000. The foremost task was to recover and record artifacts from Zone A, which was submerged under the dam’s waters in July 2000. The excavation then proceeded to Zone B, scheduled to be inundated by October 2000 when water levels peaked. The Zone C area, located on higher ground, remained untouched by the flooding. Due to the urgent rescue excavations, 45 mosaics were uncovered, with 22 nearly perfectly preserved, leading to Zeugma being called the "second Pompeii." At first, these mosaics were displayed at the Gaziantep Archaeological Museum, but in May 2011, the Zeugma Mosaic Museum was inaugurated to exhibit these remarkable discoveries. Thanks to Packard’s generous sponsorship and the dedicated work of the archaeological teams, crucial artifacts and mosaics were saved and recorded before being submerged by the waters created by the Birecik Dam. The excavations also illuminated the ancient city of Zeugma’s rich cultural and historical legacy. If you have any questions or inquiries regarding Zeugma Ancient City, please feel free to contact us at [email protected] or simply message us via Whatsapp, and we will reply promptly.