Sculpture of a woman discovered in Kaunos

MUĞLA

The sculpture will be displayed in the Fethiye Museum after restoration and conservation works. DHA photo

Excavations are continuing in the ancient city of Kaunos in the western province of Muğla’s Köyceğiz under the leadership of Professor Cengiz Işık. One of the most important developments this season has been the discovery of a young female sculpture, which is estimated to have been presented to the god of Kaunos as an oblation. The 2,300 year-old sculpture, which was found in a lime pit, where marble products were left as oblations to the main god of Kaunos, Basileus Kaunios, dates back to the Hellenistic period.

The sculpture is set to be displayed in the Fethiye Museum after restoration and conservation works. Kaunos, which is mentioned in the works of Ovidius with the sad story of the Karia king’s twins Kaunos and Byblis, is particularly visited by tourists for its Roman bath, Persian wall, Karia castle, Greek theater and Byzantine basilica.

Excavations in the ancient city have so far revealed many sculptures, pedestals, coins, amphora and many other ancient objects.