2,200-Year-Old Statue Caught in Fishermen’s Net Now on Display at Marmaris Museum

A 2,200-year-old bronze statue of a woman, accidentally discovered by fishermen off the coast of Muğla’s Marmaris district in Türkiye, is now on display for the first time at the Marmaris Museum.

The statue, which was found in 2020 in the Hisarönü Gulf by the crew of the fishing vessel Azimler, was caught in their trawl net. Missing its head and arms, the hollow-cast bronze sculpture was promptly reported to the local Coast Guard and transferred the same day to the Marmaris Museum for preservation.

After initial desalination and conservation efforts, the artifact was sent to the İzmir Regional Laboratory for Restoration and Conservation, where it underwent detailed restoration work. Now fully conserved, the statue has returned to Marmaris and is featured in a special exhibition.

A Cultural Treasure from the Depths of the Aegean

The statue is the centerpiece of the exhibition titled “The Woman from the Sea”, part of the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s national initiative: “102 Exhibitions in 102 Years: A Journey Through Anatolia’s Cultural Heritage in the Light of the Republic”, launched to mark the 102nd anniversary of the Turkish Republic.

Although stylistically reflecting elements from the Hellenistic period of the 2nd century BCE, archaeologists have identified the statue as a product of the Roman era. The female figure is depicted wearing a chiton with a himation draped over it — garments typical of Greco-Roman fashion.

From Sea to Museum: A Journey Through Time

Alongside this bronze figure, the exhibition also features various artifacts unearthed in archaeological excavations throughout the region, offering visitors a rich glimpse into the ancient civilizations that once thrived along Türkiye’s southwestern coast.

This remarkable find highlights not only the historical depth of the Aegean region but also positions Marmaris as a rising destination for cultural tourism.