Head from a 5m tall statue, the remains of which were found in Turkey. Parts of a huge, exquisitely
Head from a 5m tall statue, the remains of which were found in Turkey. Parts of a huge, exquisitely carved statue of the Roman Emperor Hadrian have been found at an archaeological site in south-central Turkey. The original statue would have stood 4m-5m in height, experts estimate. His achievements include the massive wall built across the width of northern Britain which bears his name. Ruling Rome from AD117 to AD138, he was known as a great military administrator and is one of the so-called “five good emperors”. So far, the excavators have unearthed the head, foot and part of a leg. But they are hopeful other parts of the statue may be uncovered in coming weeks. The foot is 80cm (31.5 ins) long; the leg - from just above the knee to the ankle - is nearly 70cm (27ins) long. The head, which is almost intact save for its broken nose, also measures 70cm (27 ins). ‘Beautiful depiction’ The pieces of this giant monument to Hadrian were found about 5m below ground, among the buried ruins of a bath house on the site of Sagalassos, an ancient mountaintop town in southern Turkey. The statue dates to the early part of Hadrian’s reign. The elaborate decoration on the sandal suggest he was depicted in military garb. -- source link
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