Source: Paul Stonehill youtube
Description:
In Plovdiv, Bulgaria, archaeologists uncovered a marble statue head of the Greek goddess Tyche, patroness of good fortune, at the Episcopal Basilica. Dating between the late 1st and mid-3rd century CE, it likely belonged to a 2.5-meter statue in a sanctuary predating the Christian basilica, reflecting the coexistence of pagan and Christian traditions in ancient Philippopolis.
The city, founded as a Thracian settlement, was later incorporated by Philip II, conquered by Romans, and became a key provincial capital. Further excavations may reveal additional artifacts.
In central Turkey, at the ancient Hittite city of Shapinuwa (modern Ortakoy), a 3,300-year-old bronze helmet from the 13th century BCE was found. This rare artifact, linked to the Hittite Empire, showcases their advanced metallurgy and chariot warfare.
Found on a sacrificial bench, it suggests a dual role in combat and religious rituals, possibly offered to the storm god. The helmet’s design, with rivets and protective flaps, mirrors depictions in Hittite art, indicating standardized military equipment.
Shapinuwa was a major military and religious center, and this find highlights the Hittites’ complex interplay of war, religion, and diplomacy, with similar helmets gifted to Egyptian pharaohs. The artifact is displayed at the Corum Museum.
Showing posts with label Bulgaria. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bulgaria. Show all posts
