ISTANBUL -- The Turkish government is denying reports that at least eight ancient mosaics were ruined while being restored and moved to a new museum in southern Turkey.

Following an announcement this week that the Culture Ministry is investigating the incident at the Hatay Archeological Museum, Culture Minister Omer Celik told state-run Anadolu Agency Wednesday that the reports were untrue.

He said: "The Isis mosaic in question has not been damaged at all and the photos published in the daily have clearly been altered as proven by an investigation into the incident."

The Hatay museum is home to one of the world's greatest collections of Roman mosaics.