Athena’s head unearthed in Turkey's Laodicea

“Before we started excavations, treasure hunters found the heads of statues 12 years ago, and reburied them. I think they were looking for a market to sell them. Then they were not able to come to this area again after we started [the excavations]. As a team, we are very pleased to find the sculptures.” Photo: Sebahatdin Zeyrek - Anadolu Ajansı

The statues are thought to date 1,800 years back, to the 2nd century A.D. Photo: Sebahatdin Zeyrek - Anadolu Ajansı

Athena’s head unearthed in Turkey's Laodicea

It is hypothesized that the heads were buried by smugglers to be unearthed later. Photo: Sebahatdin Zeyrek - Anadolu Ajansı

Athena’s head unearthed in Turkey's Laodicea

Following a marble block of ancient water laws, unearthed, the ancient city offered the heads of Athena and double-faced Janus in August 2015. Photo: Sebahatdin Zeyrek - Anadolu Ajansı

Athena’s head unearthed in Turkey's Laodicea

Excavations have been continuing in Denizli’s largest ancient city, which is home to one of the seven churches mentioned in the Bible, by Pamukkale University. Photo: Sebahatdin Zeyrek - Anadolu Ajansı

Athena’s head unearthed in Turkey's Laodicea

Laodicea was a very significant textile center in the ancient ages. Photo: Sebahatdin Zeyrek - Anadolu Ajansı

Athena’s head unearthed in Turkey's Laodicea

“Last year’s excavations unearthed weaving looms weights and 1,500-year-old woolen clothes. Now we uncovered dyeing materials used to give color to these artifacts. We see that the weaver goddess was, too, loved in the city and festivals were held for the sake of her.” Photo: Sebahatdin Zeyrek - Anadolu Ajansı

Athena’s head unearthed in Turkey's Laodicea

Athena’s head was made like a young girl. Its facial features are very detailed. It looks like it is alive. Photo:DHA-OSMAN NURI BOYACI, DENIZLI

Athena’s head unearthed in Turkey's Laodicea

DHA-OSMAN NURI BOYACI, DENIZLI

Athena’s head unearthed in Turkey's Laodicea

Denizli DHA

Athena’s head unearthed in Turkey's Laodicea

Stating that the most important finding of 2015 was Athena, also known as the weaver goddess, providing further testimony that Laodicea was a very significant textile center in the ancient ages, Şimşek said. Photo: Denizli DHA

Athena’s head unearthed in Turkey's Laodicea

Denizli DHA

Athena’s head unearthed in Turkey's Laodicea

Two statue heads buried 10 meters under the ground were brought to light in the ancient city of Laodicea, located in the western Turkish province of Denizli. Click through for the photos of the discovery

Athena’s head unearthed in Turkey's Laodicea

Athena’s head unearthed in Turkey's Laodicea

The statues are thought to date 1,800 years back, to the 2nd century A.D. Photo: Sebahatdin Zeyrek - Anadolu Ajansı

It is hypothesized that the heads were buried by smugglers to be unearthed later. Photo: Sebahatdin Zeyrek - Anadolu Ajansı

Following a marble block of ancient water laws, unearthed, the ancient city offered the heads of Athena and double-faced Janus in August 2015. Photo: Sebahatdin Zeyrek - Anadolu Ajansı

Excavations have been continuing in Denizli’s largest ancient city, which is home to one of the seven churches mentioned in the Bible, by Pamukkale University. Photo: Sebahatdin Zeyrek - Anadolu Ajansı

Laodicea was a very significant textile center in the ancient ages. Photo: Sebahatdin Zeyrek - Anadolu Ajansı

Sebahatdin Zeyrek - Anadolu Ajansı

Sebahatdin Zeyrek - Anadolu Ajansı

Denizli DHA

DHA-OSMAN NURI BOYACI, DENIZLI

Athena’s head was made like a young girl. Its facial features are very detailed. It looks like it is alive. Photo:DHA-OSMAN NURI BOYACI, DENIZLI

DHA-OSMAN NURI BOYACI, DENIZLI

Denizli DHA

Stating that the most important finding of 2015 was Athena, also known as the weaver goddess, providing further testimony that Laodicea was a very significant textile center in the ancient ages, Şimşek said. Photo: Denizli DHA

Denizli DHA

Two statue heads buried 10 meters under the ground were brought to light in the ancient city of Laodicea, located in the western Turkish province of Denizli. Click through for the photos of the discovery

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