Archaeologists discover marble statue of Athena in Laodicea, Turkey

Archaeologists have discovered a headless white marble statue of the goddess Athena in the ancient city of Laodicea, located in the Denizli province of Turkey. The statue, measuring approximately two meters in height, was found during ongoing excavations and restoration works at the Western Theater's stage building, specifically in the area known as the postskene. It was discovered face-down among debris at the exterior wall of the structure. The statue depicts Athena wearing a peplos and a chlamys, with an aegis featuring the head of Medusa and snakes on her chest. While the head of the statue has not yet been located, the craftsmanship indicates a high level of artistic quality, reflecting the classical style of the Augustan period. Turkey's Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, announced the find on April 23, 2026, as part of the country's 'Heritage for the Future' initiative. The site is noted for its historical importance as a center of cultural expression where Homeric epics were performed.