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SKELETON MOSAIC FROM 2,400-YEARS AGO REMINDS US TO ENJOY LIFE WHILE LIVING

Published: 2025-07-31 18:41:47 Last Updated: 2025-08-01 09:40:54

"Don't worry, be happy" is a well-worn cliche that may be easier said than done, but it has been around for a while. How long exactly? The phrase's ancient equivalent appears to be a 2,400-year-old mosaic found by Turkish researchers in 2012. The artwork depicts a skeleton in a reclined position, holding a cup with one hand behind its head. A loaf of bread and a bottle of wine are seated next to it. According to a Turkish interpretation, the image is accompanied by the words, "Be cheerful, enjoy your life."
The third century BCE is when the mosaic was created. The artwork most likely emerged in the dining room of a wealthy home in the Greco-Roman city of Antioch, according to archaeologist Demet Kara. It is thought to be the focal point or emblem of a mosaic floor. The skeleton is one of three scenes included within a wider rectangle. The skeletal figure is accompanied by another piece that shows two men approaching a sundial on a column. The text mentions being late for supper, and the sundial is set between 9 and 10 p.m. Since the third piece was not discovered, it is unclear exactly what it depicts.

The meaning of the text that is paired with the recumbent skeleton is debatable; according to writer İlber Ortaylı, it reads, “You get the pleasure of the food you eat hastily with death.” He also thinks that the mosaic was in a soup kitchen instead of a wealthy person's dining room. However, in a detailed post on The History Blog, Livius argues that a skeleton “partying with [the Romans] in the dining room” is consistent with the art at the time Kara dated it. The mosaic would have served as a reminder that life is short, so savour the moment while you can.

Article Tags: Viral Archaeologist Roman Turkish Skeleton Mosaic