Ancient Roman Stone Used as Seat at Turkish Mosque for 56 Years

A Roman-era inscribed stone, dating back to around 239 AD, was used as a seat in the garden of a mosque in Fatsa, Ordu, Turkey, for over five decades. Initially found during the construction of the Laleli Central Mosque in 1968, the stone was used casually by mosque-goers unaware of its historical value. Discovered again in recent years, the stone’s Latin inscription reveals it commemorated road renovations ordered by Emperor Gordianus III, marking the “second mile” on a Roman road. The artifact has since been removed and transferred to the Ordu Museum for preservation.