1,700-year-old bust of ancient Greek god found buried in Turkey, photos show
While the modern Olympic games have been underway in Paris, an ancient Olympian has been unearthed thousands of miles away.
A marble bust of Zeus — the Greek god of the sky and thunder, who was believed to reign supreme on Mount Olympus — was recently discovered in Aphrodisias, an archaeological site in southwestern Turkey.
The “colossal,” well-preserved head surfaced after centuries underground, Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, the minister of culture and tourism, wrote in a July 30 post on X.
It was found about 160 feet away from a temple to Aphrodite, the Greek god of beauty, Nuri said.
The bust — which depicts the male deity with curly hair and a beard — is largely intact, though part of its nose appears to be missing, photos show.
Measuring about 2 feet in height, the sculpture was carved out of a single chunk of marble, according to Sözcü Gazetesi, a Turkish newspaper.
It dates to sometime between the 2nd and 3rd centuries A.D., making it at least 1,700 years old.
The bust is an extraordinary discovery of great historical significance, according to the outlet, which added it has undergone cleaning and conservation efforts.
More about Aphrodisias
Aphrodisias, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was established as a city-state in the 2nd century B.C. It was home to a cosmopolitan populace, including Greeks, Romans, Jews and Christians.
During ancient times, it was renowned for its temple to Aphrodite as well as its sculptors, according to research from the University of Oxford.
“Sculptors from the city were famous throughout the Roman Empire,” according to UNESCO. “They were well-known for virtuoso portrait sculpture and Hellenistic-style statues of gods and Dionysian figures.”
The site has been subject to ongoing excavations for decades, which have revealed multiple finds, including a sarcophagus depicting Dionysos, the Greek god of wine-making.
Google Translate was used to translate a statement from the Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism and an article from Sözcü Gazetesi.
This story was originally published July 31, 2024 at 5:30 PM with the headline "1,700-year-old bust of ancient Greek god found buried in Turkey, photos show."