Discovery of a 2,500-Year-Old Marble Statue in Ancient Sardis

Archaeologists have uncovered a rare, 2,500-year-old marble statue in the ancient city of Sardis, located in Turkey. This discovery, dating back to the fifth century B.C., was announced by the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

Sardis, situated in the Salihli district of Manisa about 45 miles east of İzmir, is a site of historical significance, as it is mentioned in the Book of Revelation. The statue, depicting a young man, measures roughly 7.2 feet in height and retains impressive facial detail.

Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy called the find an ‘extraordinary discovery.’

The statue, found lying face-down, was repurposed during the Roman period as pavement on a colonnaded street. This positioning helped preserve its features. According to Ersoy, the statue’s attire highlights Lydian cultural influences.

Officials describe the statue as having ‘larger-than-life dimensions,’ making it a rare piece from the era. The clothing includes a thick himation and a thin chiton, along with a unique garment with horizontal lines. This attire is unlike those found on similar statues in Anatolia and Greece, emphasizing its connection to Lydian culture.

Sardis was once the capital of the Lydian Kingdom before becoming a key part of the Persian Empire. It is one of the seven churches in Asia Minor mentioned by Jesus Christ in the Book of Revelation. During the Roman period, the statue’s remnants served as paving in the ancient city, preserving its features.

In biblical terms, the city is mentioned with other early churches such as Ephesus, Pergamum, Thyatira, Smyrna, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. The Book of Revelation begins addressing the church in Sardis with, ‘To the angel of the church in Sardis write…’

Researchers plan to conduct further examination of the statue, searching for any remaining traces of paint. The surface is encased in a hardened layer, which conservators will carefully remove. Soil analysis around the statue may reveal additional color traces.

Upon completion of restoration, the statue will be exhibited at the Manisa Museum in western Turkey. This find is the latest in several significant archaeological discoveries from cities mentioned in the Book of Revelation.

Earlier, in Smyrna, an ancient mosaic was discovered at a site in today’s İzmir, Turkey. In Ephesus, relics like a Roman-era marble bathtub and a fragment of a male statue were unearthed, having been repurposed as paving stones in ancient times.