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4 clusters · 14 sources · 12 days · First seen · Last updated

Archaeological discoveries at Aspendos, Turkey

Overview

Archaeologists excavating the ancient city of Aspendos in Antalya Province, Turkey, have uncovered significant artifacts spanning several centuries. During the ‘Future Heritage’ project, researchers discovered a 2.2-meter-tall marble statue group dating to the late 2nd century AD near the Monumental Gate on the western side of the East Square. The statues depict the Greek god of medicine, Asklepios, and his son, Telesphoros (also referred to as Telephorus).

The inclusion of Telesphoros, often depicted as a hooded young figure, is iconographically significant as it represents the full cycle of healing from illness to recovery. The placement of these statues in a prominent, formerly busy area suggests that the worship of Asklepios was integrated into the daily public life and urban fabric of the city during the Roman period. Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy described the find as the ‘return of healing to the light’ after nearly two millennia.

In the eastern necropolis, excavations have revealed a 2,400-year-old stone-lined cista tomb dating to the 5th or 4th century BCE. The grave contained the remains of an individual and silver coins known as staters. These coins feature imprints of naked men wrestling, leading Minister Ersoy to suggest the occupant may have been an athlete or a wrestler. This discovery provides further insight into the Classical Period of Aspendos, a prosperous commercial center with historical ties to both Greek traditions and Persian control.

Entities

Aspendos · Mehmet Nuri Ersoy · Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism · Future Heritage Project · Asklepios

Timeline

  1. 25 days ago

    [CULTURE] 3 sources
    Aspendos archaeologists discover 2,400-year-old tomb of possible ancient wrestler

    Archaeologists in Aspendos, Turkey, have unearthed a 2,400-year-old tomb containing silver coins depicting wrestlers, suggesting the occupant may have been an ancient athlete.

  2. about 1 month ago

    [CULTURE] 2 sources
    Aspendos archaeologists uncover ancient tomb and Roman statue

    Archaeologists in Aspendos, Turkey, have unearthed a 2,400-year-old tomb containing wrestler-themed coins and a Roman-era marble statue of the god Asklepios.

  3. about 1 month ago

    [CULTURE] 2 sources
    Aspendos discovery: 1,800-year-old statue of Asclepius found

    Archaeologists in Aspendos, Turkey, have discovered an 1,800-year-old marble statue of the Greek god Asclepius and his son Telephorus, representing the cycle of healing and recovery.

  4. about 1 month ago

    [CULTURE] 7 sources
    Ancient Asklepios Statue Group Unearthed at Aspendos, Turkey

    A 1,800‑year‑old marble statue group of Asklepios and his son Telesphoros was uncovered at Aspendos, Turkey, offering new insight into Roman‑era healing cults.

Sources

aksam.com.tr · archaeology.org · foodscience.com.au · g4media.ro · haber1.com · iefimerida.gr · independent.co.uk · karar.com · kirkinews.gr · metropolitan.si · oantagonista.uol.com.br · odatv4.com · stiripesurse.ro · zmescience.com

This summary has been updated 2 times: see revision history