Upon entering an ancient chamber, feasting scenes of gods and goddesses and gravity-defying animals and vegetation welcome the viewer into an otherworldly space that is filled with motions and dynamics, to which one might wonder: how, and why?

This study aims to approach this question through the lens of cognitive neuroscience. The objective is to first analyze viewer experience by traversing the Antioch mosaic pavements, and analyze quantitative and qualitative viewer experiences at three mosaic sites, each with a different type of visual illusion (geometric, scenaric, depthless). The second phase of the study will focus on drawing the association between the visuospatial sensations evoked during traversing and the significance of sensory transformation. The neurological sense of transformation, such as the feeling of entering an unrealistic space, will be connected to the metaphorical/spiritual transformation as typically seen in Graeco-Roman mythologies.