Archaeological Discoveries at Phaselis: Altar and Votive Statues Unearthed

 

Archaeological Excavations Reveal Sacred Area and Statues in Phaselis

Recent excavations at the ancient city of Phaselis, located in Kemer, Antalya, have uncovered a structure believed to be an altar dedicated to Apollo, along with small votive statues depicting figures such as humans and lions.

Dating back to the 690s BC, Phaselis is situated at the border of Pamphylia and is one of the last cities of Lycia. The excavation work has gained momentum over the past two years as part of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism's "Heritage for the Future Project," extending over 12 months.

Described as one of the rare ancient cities with three ports, Phaselis has yielded new discoveries under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Erdoğan Aslan.

In an interview with Anadolu Agency (AA), Prof. Dr. Aslan noted that the excavations, which began in the 1980s, have made significant progress in the last two years, especially due to the support of Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy.

Aslan stated, “We have started to achieve more data in a short period. During our excavations at Phaselis, we found an archaic altar structure and small votive figurines that date back to around 620 BC. This is an extremely important finding. The artifacts we discovered are of such a nature that they occur only once every 100 or 200 years.” He emphasized the considerable significance of these findings in shedding light on the city’s early history.

Votive Statues Unearthed

Aslan explained that the statues were found in a broken state, indicating that they were intentionally broken and discarded as offerings to the gods. "The figures we found in the pit were all broken because they were offered as sacrifices," Aslan noted. He highlighted that the proximity of the altar to the ancient harbor adds to its importance. "It is likely that when the first city was established, this harbor was utilized, and the passengers and merchants arriving at the harbor would likely make offerings here before setting sail for their countries, praying for a safe journey."

The small votive figurines originate from either carved stone or ceramic materials. According to Aslan, the finds include representations of humans, lions, horses, cavalry, and warrior figures. "These discoveries are sensational for both the ancient city and our entire coastal region. For archaeologists, this is a highly exciting find. It is thrilling to discover these artifacts as part of a complex associated with a sacred site."

Aslan also noted that the artifacts appear to have origins in Cyprus and Egypt, which highlights the early connections of Phaselis with these regions. "Herodotus narrates that in the 650s BC, Hellenion was established in Naukratis, Egypt, which also included Phaselis. This indicates that they were likely visiting this sacred site and making offerings, as we understand from inscriptions and archaeological findings that were dedicated to Apollo," Aslan added.

Erdoğan Aslan indicated that excavation efforts would continue uninterrupted and quickly in order to uncover further findings.

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