The use of opus sectile technique in the cities of the Lykos Valley in the late roman period

The Lycus Valley, located in Western Anatolia, has been an attractive living space for people due to its location connecting the Aegean, Mediterranean and Central Anatolia, the trade networks that developed accordingly, favourable climatic conditions, fertile soils and proximity to water resources. Hierapolis in the north of the valley, Laodikeia in the south and the ancient city of Tripolis in the northwest have hosted different civilisations and cultures throughout the ages. On the floors of the important buildings of the ancient cities of Hierapolis, Laodikeia and Tripolis in the Lycus Valley, opus sectile tiles with various geometric patterns can be seen. The opus sectile panels in the cities are analysed under three main headings. They are grouped according to the composition of geometric shapes. The first group is the simple geometric panels consisting of plates of single motifs brought together contiguously. The second group is composite panels formed by combining two or three plates cut in different ways. The third group is the composite panels with central attachment, which are formed by adding composite panels from the second group around a plate placed in the centre of the panel. These floors are generally seen on the floors of civil buildings, public buildings and religious buildings in the city. Examples of civil buildings are Hierapolis Ion Cap House, Painted Inscription House, Laodikeia A House and Church Period House. Examples of public buildings are the South Roman Bath of Hierapolis, the porticos of the Syrian and Stadium Streets of Laodikeia, the Central Agora, the Tripolis Agora and the Sanctuary/State Agora. The examples of religious buildings are St. Philippus Church of Hierapolis, Cathedral Church, Bath-Church, Laodikeia Church and Central Church. Key Words: Lykos Valley, Opus Sectile, Mosaic Art, Stone Paving.