Ancient city of Perge rich in sculptures

Archaeological excavations, which have continued for the last three years in the ancient city of Perge, located in the southern province of Antalya, have revealed 13 rare sculptures. Among the recently discovered sculptures were the Roman emperor Caracalla and a number of Greek gods and goddesses, including moon goddess Selene and fortune goddess Tykhe, as well as a detailed horse sculpture. 

The sculptures have come to the light in the ancient city of Perge, which lies within the borders of the Aksu district, 17 kilometers away from Antalya city center. 

For the last three years, the Antalya Museum has been carrying out excavations and the 13 sculptures found during this process have been put on display in the Perge Hall inside the museum. 

The head of Perge excavations and Antalya Museum Director Mustafa Demir said the Perge excavations had been conducted by Istanbul University and handed over to the museum by the Culture and Tourism Ministry in 2012. 

He said they had reached the gate opening to the necropolis (large cemetery) in the end of the western street of the ancient city between 2012 and 2014. 

"We continued this work this year, too. We focused on the rehabilitation of the field on the northern-southern street for visitors to walk easily. One of the structures that made us very pleased during the work was a fountain next to the northern bath. We found the Caracalla sculpture inside this fountain structure. The Caracalla sculpture is the only in the world found as a whole," Demirel said. 

Among the sculptures found in this area were mythological gods and goddesses as well as a horse sculpture and an Aphrodite sculpture, said Demirel, adding the Perge Hall had been opened on May 18 for the display of...