• About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Donation
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
Archaeology News
  • Home
  • News
    • Archaeology
    • Anthropology
    • Paleontology
  • Academics
    • Books
    • Conferences
    • Universities
  • Articles
  • VR Tours
  • Quiz & Game
  • Download
  • Encyclopedia
  • Forum
Archaeology News
No Result
View All Result
Home News Archaeology

Ancient statue head of Hygieia, the Greek goddess of health, unearthed in Laodicea

by Dario Radley
May 21, 2024

A 2100-year-old statue head of Hygieia, the Greek goddess of health, has been unearthed during ongoing excavations in the ancient city of Laodicea, located in the southwestern region of Turkey near Denizli.

Ancient statue head of Hygieia, the Greek goddess of health, unearthed in Laodicea
Ancient statue head of Hygieia, the Greek goddess of health, was unearthed in Laodicea. Credit: Dr. Celal Şimşek/X

The head of Hygieia, who symbolizes health and cleanliness, was discovered by an archeological team led by Prof. Dr. Celal Şimşek of Pamukkale University.

Laodicea, historically known as “Laodikeia on the edge of the Lycus,” was founded by Antiochus II between 263 and 261 BCE and named after his wife. This city, once a bustling hub in ancient times, is situated on the south side of the Lycus River, approximately six kilometers north of modern-day Denizli. Its strategic geographical location made it one of the most influential cities in antiquity, thriving particularly during the 1st century BCE due to its prominence on a major trade route, as noted by the historian Strabo.

The city boasted numerous impressive structures, including the largest stadium in Anatolia, two theaters, four baths, five agoras, five fountains, long colonnaded streets, and an array of temples, churches, and basilicas. Despite its prosperity, Laodicea was frequently beset by earthquakes, the most devastating of which occurred in 60 CE during Emperor Nero’s reign, completely destroying the city. Remarkably, the proud inhabitants of Laodicea declined imperial assistance and rebuilt the city themselves. Further calamities struck in 494 CE and between 602-610 CE, coupled with increasing threats from Arab raids, eventually leading to its abandonment.

Ancient statue head of Hygieia, the Greek goddess of health, unearthed in Laodicea
Laodicea, historically known as “Laodikeia on the edge of the Lycus,” was founded by Antiochus II between 263 and 261 BCE and named after his wife. Credit: Carole Raddato

The excavation efforts in Laodicea have been ongoing since 2003, and the recent discovery of Hygieia’s statue head adds to the historical richness of the city. Hygieia, whose name is the root of the modern word “hygiene,” was a significant figure in ancient Greek and Roman mythology. She was the daughter of Asclepius, the god of medicine, and played a crucial role in the philosophy of preventive medicine and cleanliness. Classical depictions of Hygieia often show her holding or feeding a large snake, a symbol associated with Asclepius, in her arms. Her statues were common in major healing centers, particularly in temples dedicated to Asclepius, with prominent ones located in Epidaurus, Corinth, Cos, and Pergamon.

RelatedStories

Ancient gold brooch and jade stone unearthed at Troy push the city’s history back by centuries

Ancient gold brooch and jade stone unearthed at Troy push the city’s history back by centuries

October 5, 2025
Hidden optical secrets of the Parthenon revealed by Oxford archaeologist

Hidden optical secrets of the Parthenon revealed by Oxford archaeologist

May 7, 2025

Prof. Şimşek shared the news of the discovery on his social media X account, writing, “The meeting of the Sun and Hygieia with us in Laodicea after 2,100 years.” The statue head’s discovery is a notable addition to the collection of artifacts that narrate the rich history of Laodicea, further highlighting its importance as a center of ancient civilization.

Laodicea, which has been on Turkey’s Tentative List of World Heritage Sites since 2013, was once a vibrant center of trade, culture, and religion. The recent discovery of the Hygieia statue head underscores the city’s significant historical role in antiquity.

Share4Tweet2Share1ShareSend

You May Also Like...

Rare bronze temple-façade box found in Turda reveals life near Legion V Macedonica
Archaeology

Rare bronze temple-façade box found in Turda reveals life near Legion V Macedonica

October 9, 2025
Donkey bones reveal Jamestown colonists brought donkeys to North America
Archaeology

Donkey bones reveal Jamestown colonists brought donkeys to North America

October 8, 2025
Easter Island’s moai statues really “walked”: physics and archaeology confirm the hypothesis
Archaeology

Easter Island’s moai statues really “walked”: physics and archaeology confirm the hypothesis

October 7, 2025
New study reveals Shackleton knew Endurance was structurally unfit for Antarctic ice
Archaeology

New study reveals Shackleton knew Endurance was structurally unfit for Antarctic ice

October 7, 2025
Homo habilis under threat: AI study reveals leopards hunted our ancient ancestors
Anthropology

Homo habilis under threat: AI study reveals leopards hunted our ancient ancestors

October 7, 2025
Karnak Temple’s origins revealed: geoarchaeological study shows how the Nile shaped Egypt’s sacred landscape
Archaeology

Karnak Temple’s origins revealed: geoarchaeological study shows how the Nile shaped Egypt’s sacred landscape

October 6, 2025

Comments 1

  1. Editorial Team says:
    1 second ago
    Disclaimer: This website is a science-focused magazine that welcomes both academic and non-academic audiences. Comments are written by users and may include personal opinions or unverified claims. They do not necessarily reflect the views of our editorial team or rely on scientific evidence.
  2. Victoria Vinson says:
    1 year ago

    Excellent updates!

Follow us


Instagram
245K

Facebook
116K

Threads
44K

LinkedIn
13K

Twitter
6K

YouTube
1K
  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Shipwreck Salvage. Credit: rawpixel.com / Public Domain

2,000-year-old shipwreck discovered off Turkish coast with remarkably preserved stacked ceramics

July 2, 2025
Viking age DNA reveals 9,000-year-old HIV-resistant gene originating near the Black Sea

Viking age DNA reveals 9,000-year-old HIV-resistant gene originating near the Black Sea

May 18, 2025
Complete copy of the Canopus Decree unearthed in Egypt after 150 years

Complete copy of the Canopus Decree unearthed in Egypt after 150 years

September 13, 2025
Mystery of Armenia’s 6,000-year-old dragon stones solved

Mystery of Armenia’s 6,000-year-old dragon stones solved

September 23, 2025
Moses may be named in ancient Egyptian mine inscriptions, sparking debate over earliest biblical references

Moses may be named in ancient Egyptian mine inscriptions, sparking debate over earliest biblical references

July 31, 2025
Moses may be named in ancient Egyptian mine inscriptions, sparking debate over earliest biblical references

Moses may be named in ancient Egyptian mine inscriptions, sparking debate over earliest biblical references

$1 million prize offered to decipher 5,300-year-old Indus Valley script

$1 million prize offered to decipher 5,300-year-old Indus Valley script

3D analysis reveals Shroud of Turin image likely came from sculpture, not Jesus’ body

3D analysis reveals Shroud of Turin image likely came from sculpture, not Jesus’ body

Oldest ever genetic data from a human relative found in 2-million-year-old fossilized teeth

Oldest ever genetic data from a human relative found in 2-million-year-old fossilized teeth

Exceptionally large Roman shoes discovered at Magna fort near Hadrian’s Wall

Exceptionally large Roman shoes discovered at Magna fort near Hadrian’s Wall

Rare bronze temple-façade box found in Turda reveals life near Legion V Macedonica

Rare bronze temple-façade box found in Turda reveals life near Legion V Macedonica

October 9, 2025
Donkey bones reveal Jamestown colonists brought donkeys to North America

Donkey bones reveal Jamestown colonists brought donkeys to North America

October 8, 2025
Easter Island’s moai statues really “walked”: physics and archaeology confirm the hypothesis

Easter Island’s moai statues really “walked”: physics and archaeology confirm the hypothesis

October 7, 2025
New study reveals Shackleton knew Endurance was structurally unfit for Antarctic ice

New study reveals Shackleton knew Endurance was structurally unfit for Antarctic ice

October 7, 2025
Homo habilis under threat: AI study reveals leopards hunted our ancient ancestors

Homo habilis under threat: AI study reveals leopards hunted our ancient ancestors

October 7, 2025

Archaeology News online magazine

Archaeology News is an international online magazine that covers all aspects of archaeology.











Categories

  • Academics
    • Books
    • Conferences
    • Universities
  • Articles
  • Download
  • Game
  • News
    • Anthropology
    • Archaeology
    • Paleontology
  • Quiz
  • Tours

Subscribe to our newsletter

© 2024 - Archaeology News Online Magazine. All Rights Reserved.

  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Donation
  • Contact

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

Manage Consent
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
Manage options Manage services Manage {vendor_count} vendors Read more about these purposes
View preferences
{title} {title} {title}
  • Home
  • News
    • Archaeology
    • Anthropology
    • Paleontology
  • Academics
    • Books
    • Conferences
    • Universities
  • Articles
  • VR Tours
  • Quiz & Game
  • Download
  • Encyclopedia
  • Forum

About  .  Contact  .  Donation

© 2024 - Archaeology News Online Magazine. All Rights Reserved