Aphrodite’s lost statues revealed in Türkiye’s Pompeiopolis

Excavation work at the ancient theatre of Pompeiopolis, an ancient Roman city founded as the Paflagonia provincial capital in 64 B.C., has led to an exciting discovery. During ongoing excavation activities in the theatre area, two fragments of statues depicting Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, were found.

The statues have been protected, and restoration, conservation, and surveying work will be carried out in the upcoming year.

Pompeiopolis: Jewel of ancient Roman civilization

Pompeiopolis, located in the Taskopru district of Kastamonu province, has been compared to other famous ancient sites such as Ephesus and Zeugma. Known as one of the largest cities in Anatolia during the Roman period, Pompeiopolis was founded as the provincial capital of Paflagonia.

Excavations in the region continue even during the winter months under the leadership of Associate Professor Mevlut Eliusuk, a faculty member at Karabuk University, with the support of the Kastamonu Museum Directorate.

Discovery of Aphrodite statues: Thrilling find

The discovery of two fragments of Aphrodite statues in the 2,000-seat theatre of Pompeiopolis is a significant development in the ongoing excavation.

The team was thrilled to find these pieces, which mark the first discovery of Aphrodite statues in the region.

Excavation progress: Odeon and theatre

Eliusuk shared information about the ongoing excavation in the theatre area, revealing that they had also identified an odeon, a structure used for musical performances, during their georadar studies.

He explained that they had conducted small-scale trench work to explore the site and had unearthed a 2-meter-thick layer of ash, which was a sign of intense burning, likely due to marble being burned to produce lime. Unfortunately, no significant remains of the theatre’s seating have been found so far. However, some pieces of the seating have been identified, and the structure of the seats has been determined.

Unveiling Aphrodite: Statues dating back to 2nd century A.D.

During their work in the odeon, Eliusuk’s team found two pieces of Aphrodite statues. One of these statues features the head of the goddess, while the other depicts a smaller version of Aphrodite.

These statues date back to the second century A.D., likely the early part of the century. The excavation team is continuing their work in the area, and the restoration and conservation projects for both the theatre and odeon will be developed under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s project.

Pompeiopolis: Rising star in Türkiye’s tourism scene

Pompeiopolis is expected to become a significant tourist destination in the region. Taskopru Mayor Huseyin Arslan, speaking about the excavation progress, emphasized that the theatre area, believed to accommodate around 2,000 spectators, has already revealed a major portion of its structure.

Additionally, the nearby odeon is being actively excavated. “We are confident that Pompeiopolis will become an essential part of Türkiye’s tourism route. The ancient city is the largest excavation in the Black Sea region and will attract a lot of visitors,” said Mayor Arslan.

Monument to Türkiye’s rich cultural heritage

As excavation work continues, the Pompeiopolis ancient city is poised to contribute significantly to Türkiye’s cultural heritage and tourism sector.

The restoration and conservation of the Aphrodite statues, alongside the ongoing excavations, will not only preserve this ancient site but also bring it to the attention of global visitors eager to explore Türkiye’s rich archaeological history.