An Archaeological Journey Along the Aegean and Mediterranean Coasts
Anatolia, which has been home to numerous civilizations for thousands of years, continues to reveal its ancient secrets. Thanks to large-scale archaeological excavations carried out across Türkiye, scientists regularly make remarkable discoveries, ranging from functioning ancient fountains to perfectly preserved marble statues.
Among the most impressive sites are the ancient cities of Kibyra and Sagalassos in Burdur Province. Here, tourists can see ancient fountains that have undergone restoration and from which water flows just as it did thousands of years ago.
In Kibyra, known for its gladiator stadium with a capacity of 10,000 spectators, two virtually undamaged statues of Emperor Hadrian were discovered near the monumental gates in 2025. During excavations in Sagalassos, archaeologists also uncovered a statue of a young man depicting the god Pan, as well as bas-reliefs depicting Artemis, Ares and Apollo.
In Antalya, within the ancient city of Aspendos, a 2.20-metre-tall marble sculptural group depicting the god of medicine Asclepius and his son Telesphorus was discovered as part of the “Legacy for the Future” project. The find dates back to the last quarter of the 2nd century AD. The famous ancient theatre of Aspendos is also open for night visits with special lighting during the summer.
In the Aegean region, in ancient Sardis — the capital of the Lydian Kingdom, in Manisa Province — a colossal statue of a young man dating to the first half of the 5th century BC was discovered. The 2.2-metre-high marble sculpture is remarkably well preserved and will soon be exhibited at the Manisa Museum.
