18 September 2025 The Future is the Product of the Past

2nd-Century Statue Head Discovered at Fethiye Castle

Türkiye’s coastal town of Fethiye, which is famous for its natural beauties and historical sites, found an 1800-year-old statue head thought to belong to the god Apollo during excavations in Fethiye castle.

The castle was originally built during the time of the ancient Lycian city of Telmessos. Fethiye Castle was vital in protecting the ancient Lycian city of Telmessos. The fortress was an essential part of the city’s defensive infrastructure, ensuring the safety and security of its inhabitants.

This ancient city was the largest and most important in the Lycian region, making the castle a significant structure for the area. The Castle of Fethiye has witnessed several transitions in its history. During the Byzantine period, it underwent significant reconstruction, and later, it was taken over by the Knights of St. John.

Under the direction of the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage and Museums of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, in cooperation with the Muğla Governorship, the district governorship, Fethiye Municipality, and Fethiye Museum, the excavation work at the castle, which is situated in the Kesikkapı neighborhood of the Fethiye district, is still ongoing. Three years ago, the excavation got underway.

During the excavation, which was conducted under the scientific responsibility of Professor Kadir Pektaş, a statue head believed to belong to Apollo was discovered in the castle wall.

Pektaş, who is also the scientific director of the Fethiye Castle excavation, informed Anadolu Agency (AA) that the excavation work is part of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s “Legacy to the Future” project.

“During our work in the inner castle, in the area where the flagpole is located, a statue head, which we estimate to date back to the period around the A.D. second century, was found inside the wall. This is a very important piece for us. In addition, coins from the Turkish-Islamic period, the Ottoman period, and the Menteşe Beylik were also discovered,” he said.

Photo: AA

He mentioned that research is ongoing to determine to whom the statue head belongs, saying: “The statue head may belong to Apollo or another historical figure.”

In the interior of the fortress, cannonballs, items used in daily life and ceramic fragments were also unearthed.

Cover Image: AA

Related Articles

Neanderthal Fingerprint on 50,000-Year-Old Pebble Could Be Europe’s Oldest Portable Artwork

29 May 2025

29 May 2025

New analysis reveals that a pebble marked with ochre and a fingerprint could be the earliest known example of transportable...

Researchers may have uncovered the ruins of one of the largest ancient cafeterias for a Buddhist temple

9 February 2025

9 February 2025

Researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery at the site of the Yamashiro Kokubunji temple, revealing what is believed to be...

Coin hoard found in fireplace ‘belonging to Scottish clan chief’ murdered at infamous Glencoe Massacre

17 October 2023

17 October 2023 1

Coins believed to have belonged to a Scottish clan chief murdered in an infamous 17th-century Glencoe massacre, have been found...

Human blood proteins were found in the red paint on a 1,000-year-old gold mask from Peru

27 October 2021

27 October 2021

Traces of human blood have been discovered in the red paint that decorated a gold mask found on the remains...

Detector finds rare Merovingian gold ring refers to a previously unknown principality

22 February 2024

22 February 2024

A metal detectorist has unearthed a very rare, 1,500-year-old Merovingian gold ring made of 22-carat gold at Emmerlev in Southwest...

Unique 6,000-Year-Old Sacred Hearths and Karaz Pottery Discovered at Tadım Mound in Elazığ

28 March 2025

28 March 2025

Archaeological excavations at Tadım Castle and Tadım Mound (Tadım Höyük), located within the borders of Tadım Village in Elazığ, continue...

Paleontologists say world’s oldest-known burial site found in South Africa

6 June 2023

6 June 2023

American explorer and scientist Lee Berger in South Africa said they have found the oldest-known burial site in the world,...

Neanderthals of the North

13 May 2022

13 May 2022

Were Neanderthals really as well adapted to life in the cold as previously assumed, or did they prefer more temperate...

1900 years old a rare mosaic was discovered in Durrës, Albania

6 November 2023

6 November 2023 1

In the port city of Durrës, on the Adriatic Sea in western Albania, a unique mosaic dating back 1900 years...

Ancient rubbish dump under Hatshepsut temple reveals hundreds of artifacts

24 November 2021

24 November 2021

Polish archaeologists uncovered a 3,500-year-old dump while working on the reconstruction of the Hathor Goddess Chapel, which is part of...

Unexpected Origins of Mysterious Mummies Buried in Boats in a Chinese Desert

17 February 2024

17 February 2024

In 1990, hundreds of mummified bodies were found buried in boats in an inhospitable desert area in the Xinjiang Uyghur...

One of the World’s Oldest Streets Unearthed at Canhasan 3 in Türkiye, Dating Back 9,750 Years

26 August 2025

26 August 2025

Nearly 10,000 years ago, long before the rise of cities, a community in central Anatolia was already experimenting with new...

From Arnhem to Oldenburg: Nazi-Looted Artifacts Found in Oldenburg Museum Colection

30 August 2025

30 August 2025

A remarkable discovery at the Landesmuseum Natur und Mensch in Oldenburg has shed new light on the dark history of...

White grape pips found in the Negev dated may be the oldest of its kind worldwide

29 April 2023

29 April 2023

Researchers from the University of York, Tel Aviv University, and the University of Copenhagen provide new insight into the mystery...

A coin of Queen Fastrada and Charlemagne found – First of its kind

8 May 2023

8 May 2023

A coin purchased by the Charlemagne Center in Aachen, Germany, bears the name of Queen Fastrada. This is the first...