First in Anatolia: Figure of the Egyptian God Pataikos Unearthed in Perre Ancient City

A discovery in Perre Ancient City (Adıyaman, Türkiye) has not only excited archaeologists but also reshaped how we look at the cultural links between Anatolia and Egypt. In one of the five great cities of the Kingdom of Commagene, excavations revealed a 2,100-year-old chamber tomb containing a figure of the Egyptian protective god Pataikos.

Egyptian traces on the “Stairway to Eternity”

The excavations are being carried out in the city’s monumental necropolis, locally known as the “Stairway to Eternity.” Inside a hypogeum-style rock-cut tomb, archaeologists identified the remains of 14 individuals, along with beads, amulets, and a faience charm depicting Pataikos.

Adıyaman Museum Director Mehmet Alkan said:

“This chamber tomb dates to the Hellenistic period, and the Pataikos figure is being unearthed for the first time in Anatolian excavations. It is a striking reflection of Commagene’s cosmopolitan identity and its role as a bridge between East and West.”

Perre: The gateway of Commagene

Located just outside today’s Adıyaman city center, Perre was among the five major cities of the Commagene Kingdom (2nd century BCE – 3rd century CE). Standing on the road to Mount Nemrut, it served as a strategic gateway to the kingdom. Even in the Roman era, Perre retained its importance, and its rock tombs, water channels, and necropolis continue to attract scholarly attention.

Who was Pataikos?

In ancient Egypt, Pataikos was a protective dwarf deity, often associated with safeguarding children, households, and travelers. He was most frequently carried as a faience amulet against evil. The Perre find suggests that Commagene maintained not only commercial but also religious and cultural links with Egypt.

A new chapter for cultural tourism

Adıyaman Provincial Director of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Yelken emphasized the significance of the discovery:

“Findings like this are not only crucial for archaeology but also for cultural tourism. From now on, Perre will be remembered not just as a Commagene stronghold, but also as a site where Egyptian influences reached Anatolia.”

Why it matters

The discovery at Perre is more than just a single artifact; it opens a new chapter in Anatolian archaeology. The discovery of the first depiction of an Egyptian god at Perre will prompt researchers to re-examine the region’s role as a crossroads of civilizations.

Cover Image: A 2,100-year-old faience amulet depicting the Egyptian protective god Pataikos, unearthed in a chamber tomb at Perre Ancient City in Adıyaman, Türkiye. This is the first discovery of its kind in Anatolia. Credit: Orhan Pehlül/AA