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

Archaeologists in Turkey have unearthed two significant Roman-era finds at the ancient city of Tralleis in Aydin province. A 2,000-year-old "cold plunge" pool, measuring 37 by 12 meters and capable of holding 300 people, was discovered within the frigidarium of the Hamam Gymnasium complex. This pool is believed to have been used by young people in training. Additionally, a nearly 2,000-year-old hall featuring a remarkably preserved floor mosaic of a hippocampus, a mythical sea creature, was uncovered. Professor Dr. Murat Çekilmez, who led the excavations, noted that the gymnasium complex was likely an important educational institution that trained scholars, including doctors and engineers. Turkish Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy stated, “We will continue to protect the traces of our civilization through scientific studies and carry the legacy of the past into the future with unwavering determination.”