Ancient Marble Statue Unearthed in Sardis, Turkey

A seven‑foot marble statue dating to the first half of the 5th century BCE was uncovered beneath a former Roman roadway in the ancient city of Sardis, western Turkey. The sculpture, found in two large fragments, depicts a young man wearing a thick himation and a striped chiton, and holding what appears to be a quince, likely an offering to a deity. Archaeologists say its hybrid style—combining 6th‑century long hair with 5th‑century facial treatment—reflects a local Lydian tradition distinct from contemporary Anatolian and Greek examples.

The statue survived in exceptional condition because it was repurposed during the Roman period and placed upside‑down under paving material, protecting its face, hands and clothing for nearly two millennia. After conservation work by Turkey’s General Directorate of Cultural Heritage and Museums, the piece will be displayed at the Manisa Museum. The find offers new insight into elite Lydian society and religious practices in Sardis, the historic capital of the ancient kingdom of Lydia where the world’s first coins were minted.