There is a fine little archaeology museum in Mardin and the following pictures come from there. I’m thankful we got to visit it.
This is the view from the museum out into the desert and on the horizon is indeed Syria. 
The Museum is up those stairs, and has considerable holdings for a small museum. Most Christians are unaware that the Byzantine Empire lasted a lot longer than the Roman Empire, in fact it lasted until the Osmanli Muslims (otherwise known as the Ottomans) showed up and conquered Constantinople in 1453. The Byzantine era began in the 4th century A.D. and we will visit the church of St. James later in these posts where Ephrem of Syria living and wrote. Here are some exhibits from the Mardin museum.
A Byzantine Greek inscription in typical all caps. 
Part of a Byzantine mosaic floor. The peacock was often a symbol of the resurrection.
A Byzantine cross and Greek inscription.
A dangerous cat!!!
A grave stele which depicts an ancient Greek speaking Byzantine.
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