Turkish Archaeologists Uncover Two Head Statues Of Greek Gods In Ancient City Of Aizanoi

Archaeologists have found a statue of the head of the Greek god Aphrodite in Kutahya Province, Turkey. (Source: Anadolu Agency via Daily Sabah)

JAKARTA - Two statues of Greek gods and goddesses have been found by Turkish archaeologists during excavations in the Ancient City of Aizanoi, Kutahya Province, Turkey.

According to Daily Sabah, October 31, the two heads of the statue are statues of the Goddess of Love and Beauty, Aphrodite, and the Greek God of Wine, Dionysus.

Excavations at the ancient city, which was included in the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List in 2012 and located 50 kilometers (31 miles) from the city center, are being continued by the Museum Directorate of Kütahya, Turkey.

Excavation coordinator, Professor Gökhan Coşkun, from Dumlupınar University said work at Aizanoi, a 5,000-year-old site, was carried out without interruption with 100 workers and 27 technical personnel.

Noting they had been maintaining work on the riverbed in the ancient city of Aizanoi recently, Coşkun said the heads of statues of Aphrodite and Dionysus were excavated at the bottom of this river.

"This is an important finding for us, as it shows that the culture of ancient Greek polytheistic beliefs existed for a long time without losing its importance in the Roman era", he said, quoting Daily Sabah from Anadolu Agency October 31.

"This finding suggests that there may be a sculpture workshop in the region", continued Professor Coskun.

Home to one of the best-preserved temples in Turkey, dedicated to the Greek god Zeus, the City of Aizanoi can easily be compared to Ephesus in its splendor and importance.

Originally inhabited by the Phrygians, the area was converted into a city in the first century BC by the Romans and includes unique places such as temples; four Roman bridges, two of which are still in use today; the world's first known indoor market, with the price of goods for sale still visible on the wall; theater; Roman baths and ancient sacred caves.