Fresh discoveries at the ancient city of Aspendos are putting new attention on the stone craftsmanship that still defines many historic sites. Turkey’s Culture and Tourism Ministry announced that archaeologists uncovered a marble statue group depicting Asklepios, the healing god linked to medicine and health, alongside his son and assistant Telesphoros.
The 2.2-meter sculpture dates to the final quarter of the 2nd century A.D., during the Roman Imperial period, according to the ministry. It was found among the remains of the northern wing of a monumental gate on the western side of the Eastern Square along Theater Street. Officials highlighted details including the folds of Asklepios’ himation and the treatment of the figures’ faces, hair, and beard, and said the location points to a public, ceremonial setting inside the city.
Days later, the ministry reported another major find tied to the built environment, a cist-type tomb in Aspendos’ Eastern Necropolis. The tomb dates from the last quarter of the 5th century B.C. to the 4th century B.C., and the ministry described it as the first burial ground of its kind identified within the city. Coins from Aspendos depicting wrestlers, along with other objects recovered from the tomb, were cited as evidence connecting the burial to sports and wrestling.
For mason contractors and restoration crews, discoveries like these underline a simple jobsite reality on heritage work: stone walls, monumental gateways, and burial structures carry layers of history, and every exposed course, joint, and carved surface has value. When projects intersect with archaeological zones, documentation, protection of existing masonry, and careful handling of stone elements become part of the scope, right alongside access, staging, and site safety.
Read the full, original article from Bianet here.