Roman era sculpture found in Marmara region

Sakarya Museum has launched excavations in Kaynarca district’s Uzunalan village after a 2,000-year-old damaged sculpture from Roman times was discovered in the area.

The sculpture that has a missing hand and no head is from the Roman era,
according to officials [Credit: AA/Hurriyet]

Archaeologists believe the sculpture is not the only work in the area and that there could be other artifacts in the vicinity, according to a written statement from the director of the museum, Murşit Yazıcı.

“Since the sculpture cannot be here alone, we are looking for a settled area,” said Yazıcı. “This sculpture that has a missing hand and no head is from the Roman era and probably belongs to a Roman aristocrat.”

The sculpture was delivered to Sakarya Museum, where examinations confirmed that it was a 2,000-year-old sculpture from the Roman era.

Archaeological studies and pre-excavations have started in the area with contributions from Süleyman Acar, an art historian at Sakarya Museum; archaeologist Gökhan Beyazcem and experts from Kaynarca Municipality.

Yazıcı said the studies that were being conducted in the area were not archeological excavations but that only the pre-excavations were being undertaken in an effort to determine whether or not to proceed with a more comprehensive dig.

We cannot know that without an examination. Now we are conducting pre-studies because we think that the sculpture cannot be alone here; we are looking for an ancient settlement,” said Yazıcı. “This is not an archaeological excavation yet. After the studies, we are going to make a decision.”

“They said that I have found a treasure,” Uzunalan village headman Saffet Tezer said. 

Source: Hurriyet Daily News [July 04, 2013]