The moment when a statue of Hestia was discovered in 2017 in the ruins of Aigai in Turkey.

Kane Khanh | Archeaology
November 25, 2023

Archaeologists have discovered a statue of the Greek goddess Hygeia and god Eros in Turkey’s southern province of Adana, according to the Daily Sabbah.

The limestone sculpture; which was broken into two parts and missing a head, was discovered in the Anavarza Antique City, in the Kozan district. Archaeologists believe it dates back to the third or fourth century B.C., the Daily Sabbah report says.

“The famous pharmacologist Dioskurides; who worked in the army during the Roman period and who attracted attention with the medicines he made, lived in Anavarza,” Nedim Dervisoglu, Director of the Adana Museum, told Dogan News Agency.

Hygeia is the Greek goddess of health, one of the six daughters of Asclepius, god of health.

The ancient sculpture has been added to the UNESCO Temporary List of World Heritage Sites. Dervisoglu said archaeologists are continuing the search for the statue’s missing head.

Anavarza Antique City dates back to the second century B.C. The city’s ruins are surrounded by 20 bastions and a 1500-meter-long wall with four entrances.