Archaeologists have discovered a statue of the goddess Hygeia and god Eros in Turkey’s southern province of Adana, according to the Daily Sabbah.


The limestone sculpture; which was broken into two parts and missing a head, was discovered in the Anavarza Antique City, in the Kozan district. Anavarza Antique City dates back to the second century B.C. The city’s ruins are surrounded by 20 bastions and a 1500-meter-long wall with four entrances. Archaeologists believe it dates back to the third or fourth century BC. Nedim Dervisoglu, Director of the Adana Museum, told Dogan News Agency:

“The famous pharmacologist Dioskurides; who worked in the army during the Roman period and who attracted attention with the medicines he made, lived in Anavarza.”

The ancient sculpture has been added to the UNESCO Temporary List of World Heritage Sites. Dervisoglu said archaeologists are continuing the search for the statue’s missing head.