Monumental statue unearthed at ancient Sardes
MANISA
A 2.2-meter-tall marble statue dating back approximately 2,500 years has been unearthed during excavations at the ancient city of Sardes in the Aegean province of Manisa, Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy has announced.
The monumental sculpture depicting a standing young man was discovered during excavations carried out at the ancient city of Sardes in Manisa’s Salihli district under the coordination of the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage and Museums of the Culture and Tourism Ministry.
Ersoy shared details of the discovery on social media, describing it as a “unique discovery that will shed light on Anatolian archaeology.”
“We have unearthed a young male statue dating to the first half of the fifth century B.C. at the ancient city of Sardes in Manisa. The 2.2-meter-tall marble statue stands out among rare examples of the period with its monumental size, well-preserved condition and striking details,” Ersoy said.
The minister noted that the statue had been reused as a paving stone on the colonnaded street during the Roman Period. He said the sculpture was placed face down, which helped preserve its facial features and details for centuries.
“The unusual clothing details on the statue bear traces of Lydian culture. The statue, which appears to hold a fruit in its hand, will provide important information for understanding life in Sardes, its belief system and cultural interactions during the period,” Ersoy said.
He added that scientific examinations and conservation work would also investigate whether any traces of original paint had survived on the surface of the statue.
Following the completion of restoration work, the artifact will be displayed at the Manisa Museum, Ersoy said, thanking the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage and Museums, academics, experts and excavation teams involved in the discovery.
Statue bears traces of Lydian culture
According to a statement from the ministry, the statue dates to 470–450 B.C. and stands 2.2 meters tall.
The work, which is larger than life-size and considered a rare example from its period, was found in two large pieces. Experts determined that the feet and some smaller fragments of the statue are missing.
The sculpture was identified as having been reused as a paving stone in the colonnaded street at the entrance to Sardis during the Roman Period. Its face-down placement helped preserve its facial features and fine details over thousands of years.
The statue was carefully uncovered during excavations and safely removed from its location by a team of specialists.
With its upright posture and long hair, the sculpture recalls examples from the sixth century B.C., while its facial features, anatomical details on the hands and other characteristics point to the first half of the fifth century B.C.
The young man is depicted wearing a thick himation, a thin chiton and another garment underneath featuring horizontal lines. This unusual clothing style, not seen in similar sculptures from Anatolia or Greece, highlights the local characteristics of the work and its connection to Lydian culture.
The fruit held in the statue’s right hand is believed to have been an offering to a god or goddess. Experts suggest that the fruit may be a quince.
Discovery to reveal clues about Sardes’ elite
The statue dates to the period when Sardes served as the capital of the western satrapy of the Achaemenid Persian Empire.
The monumental sculpture stands out for combining the classical artistic traditions of the Aegean world with Lydian clothing traditions and visual culture.
The rarity of such large and well-preserved early monumental sculptures in the Mediterranean region increases the significance of the discovery for Anatolian archaeology.
The artifact is expected to provide new insights into the culture, beliefs and daily life of the elite population living in Sardes at the beginning of the fifth century B.C.
Experts know that marble sculptures in antiquity were often painted. The surface of the Sardes statue, which remained underground for centuries, was found covered with a thick and hardened layer of deposits.
The conservation team will carry out detailed scientific studies to clean the sculpture without damaging any surviving pigments.
As part of the research, experts in ancient polychrome sculpture will examine possible traces of paint on the statue’s surface and in the surrounding soil.
After cleaning, scientific analysis and restoration processes are completed, the statue will go on display at the Manisa Museum.