ISTANBUL, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Archaeologists have unearthed a rare 1,800-year-old marble sculpture group at the ancient city of Aspendos in southern Türkiye, offering new insights into healing cults during the Roman Imperial period, authorities announced Thursday.
Turkish Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy said in a social media post that the 2.2-meter-tall work depicts Asklepios, the ancient god of medicine, alongside his son Telesphoros, a child-god of recovery and convalescence.
The group was discovered amid the ruins of the Monumental Gate's northern wing along Theater Street during excavations carried out under the "Heritage for the Future" initiative, a government program aimed at expanding year-round archaeological excavations and preserving Türkiye's cultural heritage.
Dating to the late second century A.D., the sculpture group reflects the artistic style of the Roman Imperial period through the figures' postures, the drapery of their garments, and the intricate carving of Asklepios' facial features, including his hair and beard, Ersoy said.
"Together, they (Asklepios and Telesphoros) symbolize the healing process from illness to full recovery," he noted.
Located in Antalya province, Aspendos is one of Türkiye's best-preserved ancient cities and is renowned for its Roman theater. ■