Ancient Greek Altar Found at Archaeological Site in Turkey

A marble altar with an ancient Greek inscription was discovered at the site of Patara close to the southwest coastal city of Antalya in Turkey.

The ancient Greek altar, which features a relief of a snake wrapped around the ancient stone with a Greek inscription, is thought to be over two thousand years old.

Speaking to Turkish media, Mustafa Koçak, an archaeologist working at the site, noted that such an altar has never been found in the area, but similar finds have been discovered at other ancient sites.

He hypothesized that the snake motif relates to the worship of the gods, as people would make sacrifices and give offerings to the gods at altars like this one.

Koçak added that archaeologists have encountered sculptural forms of large snakes throughout their excavations that resemble the one found on the altar and theorized that there may have also been others present in the city during ancient times.

Further study and translation of the Greek inscription may reveal more information about the use and historic context of the altar. However, in descriptions of the impressive find, the Turkish press has not even mentioned the presence of the ancient Greek inscription on the column.

Patara, where the altar was found, was a commerce hub

Antalya, now known as a Mediterranean resort destination on Turkey’s southern coast, was once home to a prominent ancient Greek city.

The ancient city of Patara, located in Lycia, where the altar was found, was a hub for commerce and maritime activity in antiquity.

Adopting its name from Patarus, the mythological founder and son of Apollo, the city served as an important site in Greek and Roman antiquity. In 333 BC, Alexander the Great conquered the city, and it was governed by a series of emperors throughout its long history.

Patara’s strategic location in modern day southwest Turkey helped it preserve its economic and cultural importance through the Byzantine period as well, and it has significance to Christians since it was the birthplace of St. Nicholas, the bishop of Myra, in 270 AD.

With its ancient history, and because it was continually inhabited for so many centuries, the site is home to many Greek and Roman ruins, including an impressive Roman-era theater.

There is a vast number of ancient Greek and Byzantine archaeological and historical sites in Turkey, many of which attract hundreds of thousands, even millions, of visitors each year.

These countless sites in not only Turkey but around the world serve as incontrovertible evidence of the Greek people’s long, rich history and contributions to world civilizations.