In Turkey’s province of Kütahya, about 50 kilometers from the capital of the same name, are the ruins of the ancient city of Aizanoi, which was destroyed only in the 7th century AD. According to researchers, the first settlements appeared here around 3000 BC.

However, little is known about the early pages of Aizanoi’s history, rather than the well-studied Roman period, when he reached the height of his prosperity thanks to the production of grain, wine, and sheep’s wool.

Exploring the city of Aizanoi

European travelers rediscovered ancient Aizanoi in 1824, but systematic excavations only began a hundred years later. Remains of beautiful buildings have been preserved in this city to this day. Among them stand out:

• monumental temple of Zeus,
• 20,000-seat theater,
• there is a 13,500-seat stadium nearby,
• column street,
• thermal baths,
• Roman bridges.

Only in recent years, archaeologists have made a number of important discoveries here:

• discovered two jars with hundreds of old coins,
• the gates of the agora were dug,
• temple of zeus
• and also found the remains of ancient statues.

new findings

Archaeologists from Dumplupınar University in Kütahya carried out new excavations in the ancient city of Aizanoi. This year the work took place next to two Roman bridges built over the Penkalas stream.

Aizanoi excavation site / Photograph Kütahya Dumplupınar University

During the excavations, the researchers discovered an almost complete statue, missing only part of the pedestal and one foot. The height of this find, which is a male figure, is approximately 210 centimeters. Other ancient artifacts discovered included stone heads depicting Greek gods and heroes. Thus, the heads of Eros (the god of love), Dionysus (the god of plants, viticulture and winemaking), Hercules and some others fell into the hands of scientists.

Archaeologist finds gallery

Archaeologists noted that a headless statue of Hercules was found here two years ago. Therefore, they assumed that these were parts of the same statue, but the findings did not match. According to the researchers, the age of the excavated artifacts is close 1800-2000 years.