A 2,500-year-old marble statue has been uncovered in the ancient city of Sardis, which is mentioned in the Book of Revelation. The discovery was announced by the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism earlier this month. Located in the Salihli district of Manisa, approximately 45 miles east of İzmir, Sardis was once the capital of the Lydian Kingdom and later an important center of the Persian Empire.
The statue, which dates to the fifth century B.C., depicts a young man and measures around 7.2 feet tall. It still retains well-preserved facial features despite being repurposed as paving along a colonnaded street during the Roman period. The Culture and Tourism Minister, Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, described the find as an "extraordinary discovery" in a social media post.
The statue's unusual details, including its clothing, bear traces of Lydian culture. It appears to be holding a fruit in its hand and provides important evidence about life, religious beliefs, and cultural interactions in Sardis during this period. The officials noted that the statue has "larger-than-life dimensions" and is a rare example from the time.
The find is significant not only because of its age but also due to its connection to Lydian culture. The statue's clothing is distinct from comparable statues found in Anatolia and Greece, highlighting its local characteristics. Once conservation and restoration are complete, the statue will be displayed at the Manisa Museum in western Turkey.
NTC Report coverage is based on reporting from the original publisher.
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