2,000-Year-Old Bronze Arm with Ring on Finger Goes on Display for the First Time After 45 Years

A 2,000-year-old Roman bronze arm, featuring a ring on its finger, has gone on public display for the first time in 45 years at the İzmir Archaeology Museum. The artifact, discovered off the coast of Foça in 1980, had remained in storage until recently, when it underwent careful restoration.

Museum Director Savaş Gürbüz highlighted the historical significance of the piece:
“The head is missing, so we cannot identify its owner. However, the ring on the finger indicates that it belonged to a person of high status, possibly an important administrator. After decades in storage, it is finally accessible to the public.”

Rediscovered in the Aegean

The bronze arm was retrieved by divers in the waters near Foça, a site with strong connections to the Roman period. Its detailed craftsmanship and the presence of the ring suggest it was part of a statue depicting a prominent figure.

Part of a Major Museum Renewal

The arm is among 1,300 artifacts newly exhibited following a two-month renovation at the museum. Covering 1,790 square meters, the project included upgrades to display cases and interior walls across four exhibition halls.

“For 35 years, the exhibition layout remained the same. Now, with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, we’ve created a refreshed display, revealing numerous pieces that had never been seen by the public before,” Gürbüz added.

İzmir’s Oldest Museum with a New Display

Founded in 1927 in the Aya Vukla (Saint Voukolos) Church and relocated to Konak in 1984, the İzmir Archaeology Museum hosts collections spanning Prehistoric, Archaic, Hellenistic, and Roman periods. The renewed exhibition aims to provide visitors with a fresh journey through İzmir’s rich past.

Cover Photo: A 2,000-year-old Roman bronze arm, with a ring on its finger, is now exhibited at İzmir Archaeology Museum after 45 years in storage. Credit: DHA