Large 2,500-Year-Old Statue Discovered at Sardis Dig

Researchers from the long‑running Harvard–Cornell Archaeological Exploration of Sardis announced the discovery of a monumental statue during the latest season of excavations at the ancient Lydian capital in western Turkey. The figure, described as larger‑than‑life, was uncovered in a previously unexcavated sector of the site and is estimated to be nearly 2,500 years old, placing it in the late seventh to early sixth century BCE. Preliminary assessment indicates the statue is carved from marble and stands well over two meters tall, though its exact dimensions and subject remain under study.

The find adds to Sardis’s rich assemblage of artifacts that illuminate the city’s prominence as a political and cultural hub in the Iron Age. Archaeologists note that the statue’s context—found alongside fragments of architectural elements and pottery typical of the period—supports its dating and suggests it may have been part of a public or ceremonial space. Ongoing conservation work and detailed analysis, including stylistic comparison with contemporary Lydian works, aim to identify the figure’s identity and function, offering new insights into the artistic and religious practices of ancient Sardis.