The mysterious ancient tomb with its elaborate stone sarcophagus and symbol of the snake-haired goddess Medusa may mark an unknown part of the great Greek city of Aphrodisias.
Turkish authorities conducted surveillance and siege when they received information about an illegal excavation being held in the town of Karacasu, located near the ancient city of Aphrodisias, a Greek monument long recognized by UNESCO. recognized as a World Heritage Site.
The coffin is decorated with a relief of the goddess Medusa – Photo: Anadolu Ajansi
According to Acient Origins, the authorities arrested a group of men who were secretly digging in an olive forest with the scene of a stone coffin that was only half dug. Archaeologists took over later and found another sarcophagus and an altar. One of the two coffins is preserved in extremely good condition, with the intact relief of the snake-haired goddess Medusa in Greek mythology, who has the ability to turn people to stone with just a look.
Archeology News Network quoted Mr. Umut Tuncer, Director of Karacasu Culture and Tourism Agency: “The person in this coffin must be an important figure of the area, but his identity has not been specifically determined.” Examination results showed that this stone coffin must be at least 2,300 years old, which means it belongs to ancient Greece.
Excavation site – Photo: Anadolu Ajansi
But that’s not all. Given the status of the person in the coffin, researchers believe that the ancient tomb cannot be located in a remote place. In other words, this tomb could “lead the way” to an even greater archaeological treasure: an unexplored part of the ancient city of Aphrodisias.
Authorities believe that around there is a great treasure with many valuable structures still buried. They are planning detailed plans for new excavations, which could last for many years.
