İncirli Village Martyrium Mosaics and the Place of These Mosaics in Hatay Mosaics

Abstract

İncirli Martyrium Mosaics were found in the village of İncirli at Kırıkhan, Hatay. Three room spaces are defined in the martyrium. Riverbed stones and calcareous blocks were used in the architecture, although its plan is incomplete. The mosaics found in the rooms are composed of three panels. In the Hatay region, mosaics found in church, basilica or martyrium contexts are generally depicting scenes of heaven as well as religious events, portraits, animals, plants and geometric motifs. Hatay mosaics share similarities and differences in composition to İncirli Village Martyrium Mosaics. When the subjects, composition, figures, motifs and borders of the mosaic floors made in civil and religious building in Hatay are examined, the artistic process that started in the 2nd century AD is expressed in the other Eastern Roman mosaics in Antakya, as well as in the İncirli Village Martyrium Mosaics. It is traced back to the 6th century AD.