Archaeologists find 2300-year-old statue of goddess in Turkey (photo)

A statue of the three-headed goddess Hecate dating back to 2300 years was unearthed in the ancient city of Kelenderis in Mersin in the south of Turkey. Pottery from the Hellenistic period was also found.

The ancient city of Kelenderis is located on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey in the modern city of Aydıncık, the province of Mersin. Excavation, restoration and conservation work have been ongoing here since 1987, TurkishMuseums reports.

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The head of the excavation and Associate Professor Mahmut Aydin said that the archaeologists found Roman-era floors beneath the site and a large number of Hellenistic ceramics.

Hecate Statue used to stand at a crossroads. The statue has three faces looking in different directions. Scientists say that such statues were placed on pedestals with instructions on them. Theyalso marked boundaries.

"A three-headed figurine of Hecate was found in the layer where the pottery was found. The figure is about 20 centimetres tall. Looking at the connection between the goddess Hecate and Kelenderis, we know that there is a temple of Hecate in the ancient city of Lagina in Mugla, and an inscription found there indicates that Kelenderis is one of the cities that participate in the competitions held every five years in honour of Hecate. In addition, Kelenderis is also one of the cities that show respect for the sacred territory of Hecate and pledge not to attack it," Aydin added.

According to him, the Hecate Statue could have been made 2300-2400 years ago, dating back to the Hellenistic period.

It is noted that Hecate was worshipped as the goddess of the underworld in ancient Greece, capable of both good and evil. She was associated with magic and witchcraft.

As a reminder, a tunnel under the ruins of an old castle that was used for covert military operations was found in Poland.

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