Two fragments of figurines that are 2300 years old were found during the excavations at the Antakya Ancient Hippodrome

Archaeological excavations conducted around the Antakya Ancient Hippodrome, which is believed to have been built during the Seleucid period in the 1st century BC, uncovered two fragments of figurines.

The excavations, led by Prof. Dr. Hatice Pamir from the Department of Archaeology at Hatay Mustafa Kemal University and conducted by a team of 20, aim to reveal the urban fabric of ancient Antioch.

It was determined that one of the recovered figurine fragments, which includes a well-preserved head and part of the body, depicts philosophers known as “sophists” and dates back to the Early Hellenistic Period, specifically between 300 and 200 BC.

It was revealed that the head of the other figurine also dates back to the late 2nd century BC. This excavation marks the first time a fragment of a terracotta figurine from the Hellenistic Period has been found in the archaeological site.

Excavation leader Pamir stated, “One of the artifacts is a fragment depicting figures known as ‘sophists’ in antiquity, who were intellectuals and traveling educators that transmitted knowledge. We know that ancient Antioch was always prominent for its intellectual institutions. The discovery of an artifact from the Hellenistic Period is extremely important as it indicates that intellectual education was taking place during that time.”

Pamir noted that the artifact was produced not by a mold but through freehand techniques by an artist. Regarding the other figurine, she mentioned, “We assess that the head of the figurine, which we believe dates to the late 2nd century BC, could be part of an object used in a household or a children’s toy.”

The fragments of the figurine have been preserved at the Hatay Archaeology Museum.

Cover Photo: Lale Köklü Karagöz