Head of Medusa Unearthed in In Ancient City Of Antiocheia Ad Cragum, Turkey

| October 20, 2015 | Archaeology News | No Comments

First version of this article was published on August 12, 2015

MessageToEagle.com – The head of Medusa, a Greek mythological creature who turned all that gazed upon her into stone, has been unearthed during excavations in the ancient city of Antiocheia Ad Cragum in the southern province of Antalya’s Gazipasa district, Turkey.

Antiochia ad Cragum was an ancient Hellenistic city on Cragus mountain overlooking the Mediterranean coast, in the south coastal region of Asia Minor, south of the central Anatolian plateau.

It had temples, baths, markets and colonnaded streets, and thrived during the empire from an economy focused on agricultural products, especially wine and lumber.

Antiocheia ad Cregum ruins.
Antiocheia ad Cregum ruins.

It’s a part of the world with a very long history, and there is evidence of Hittite settlement going back to 2000 BC.

However, it is also known that this coast was settled long before that.
The remains of Antiochia ad Cragum are located within the confines of the modern Turkish village of Güney, located approximately 12 kilometers SW of the town of Gazipasa in the district of Antalya on the south coast.

The head of Medusa, a Greek mythological creature who turned all that gazed upon her into stone.
The head of Medusa, a Greek mythological creature who turned all that gazed upon her into stone.

The site is extensive, with area of approximately three hectares.
Among ruins there are fragments of baths, a market, a colonnaded street with gateway, a large early Christian basilica, monumental tombs, and a temple, along with several unidentified structures.

Antiocheia ad Cregum ruins. Temple Pediment.
Antiocheia ad Cregum ruins. Temple Pediment.

Antiochia is mentioned by several ancient sources as an important Roman commercial center and during the Byzantine era the city was a seat of a Christian bishopric.

‘We have found the Medusa figure … among the marble blocks of a big structure, most probably a temple,’ said Nebraska University’s Michael Hof, who is heading the excavations.

Antiocheia ad Cragum, a part of the world with a long history, and there is evidence of Hittite settlement going back to 2000 BC, and it is assumed that this coast was settled even long before that.
Antiocheia ad Cragum, a part of the world with a long history, and there is evidence of Hittite settlement going back to 2000 BC, and it is assumed that this coast was settled even long before that.

‘This is a normal human-size head, maybe a bit bigger. It does not belong to a sculpture but a relief located in the front façade of the temple. It was found nearly a week ago. When the excavation is finished, it will be delivered to the Alanya Cultural Directorate.’

The excavations started in Antiocheia Ad Cragum in 2005 and was continuing with collaboration from Turkish and U.S. officials.

MessageToEagle.com

source:

Hurriyet Daily News

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