Aspendos archaeologists uncover ancient tomb and Roman statue

Archaeologists conducting excavations in the ancient city of Aspendos, Turkey, have uncovered two significant historical finds.

In the eastern necropolis, researchers discovered a 2,400-year-old stone-lined cista tomb dating back to the 5th or 4th century BCE. The grave contained locally minted coins featuring images of wrestlers, leading Turkey’s Culture and Tourism Minister, Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, to suggest the tomb may have belonged to a wrestler or an individual connected to the sport.

Additionally, a marble statue dating to the late 2nd century CE was found near the remains of monumental gates. The sculpture depicts Asklepios, the ancient god of medicine, accompanied by his son Telesfor. The discovery provides archaeological evidence of the cult of Asklepios in Aspendos and highlights the importance of health-related religious practices during the Roman era.