Colossal 2,500-Year-Old Statue Unearthed at Turkey's Sardis
On 4 August, the culture ministry announced the discovery of a remarkable colossal statue, estimated to be 2,500 years old, in Sardis, Manisa, Turkey. This statue, which features a young man grasping fruit, originally measured seven feet in height and is believed to date back to the early fifth century BC. Its excellent condition is attributed to its repurposing as a Roman-era paving stone. This artwork offers valuable insights into the artistic and social dynamics of Sardis during its time as the capital of the Achaemenid Persian Empire. Field director Nicholas Cahill and archaeologist Hector Williams highlighted its rarity and importance. Furthermore, on 6 August, marble sculptures of Asklepios and Telesphoros, dating back 1,800 years, were uncovered in Aspendos.
Key facts
- A colossal 2,500-year-old statue was discovered in Sardis, Turkey.
- The statue depicts a young man holding fruit and was found in two pieces.
- It originally stood seven feet high and dates to the first half of the fifth century BC.
- The statue was reused as a Roman-era paving stone, aiding its preservation.
- Sardis is a Unesco World Heritage site and was the capital of the Lydians.
- The sculpture shows a mix of archaic and classical styles.
- The garments on the statue are a combination not seen before in similar sculptures.
- Separately, 1,800-year-old sculptures of Asklepios and Telesphoros were found at Aspendos.
- Turkey's culture minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy commented on the Aspendos discovery.
Entities
Artists
- Nicholas Cahill
- Hector Williams
Institutions
- Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Culture and Tourism
- Sardis Expedition
- Unesco
Locations
- Sardis
- Manisa
- Turkey
- Aspendos