Interesting news story about the discovery of six statues dating back 2,000 years in the ruins of Magnesia. The statues were unearthed in the ruins of a temple to Artemis. And to keep it coin-related, here's a coin depicting Artemis: Gordian III, AD 238-244. Roman provincial Æ tetrassarion, 9.53 g, 24.2 mm, 1 h. Thrace, Hadrianopolis, AD 238-244. Obv: AVT K M ANT ΓOPΔIANOC AVΓ, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right. Rev: AΔPIANOΠOΛEITΩN, Artemis standing left, holding patera and bow; stag at side. Refs: BMC 30; Moushmov 2685; Varbanov 3888; Jurukova 476; SNG Cop --; Lindgren --; GIC --. Notes: Obverse die match to Varbanov plate coin.
Thanks for sharing that, Roman Collector. I really enjoy those archaeological news articles, especially when they find statues (or coins). I recently got a "dual" Artemis Roman Provincial for Julia Domna from Lydia, Hypaepa - a cult statue of Artemis Anaitis on the reverse, with the same image countermarked on the obverse: Julia Domna Æ 21 (c. 193-217 A.D.) Roman Prov. - Lydia, Hypaepa IOYLIA CEBACTH, draped bust right / YPAIPHNWN, cult statue of Artemis Anaitis wearing polos and veil. BMC 35-36; SNG Cop 196. Countermark: Artemis Anaitis in oval. Howgego GIC 233 (6.65 grams / 21 mm) Also a Seleucid "bottle cap" with her bust, bow and quiver: Seleucid Kingdom Æ 19 Demetrius I Soter (162-150 B.C.) Antioch Mint Bust of Artemis wearing stephane right, bow & quiver over shoulder /BASILEWS DHMHTRIOU, Bow & quiver. SC 1645; HGC 826; BMC 3. (9.07 grams / 19 mm)
The OP article of July 28 begins "Six statues dating back 2,000 years were discovered Saturday in the ruins of the ancient Greek city of Magnesia, located in southwestern Aydın province's Germencik district." https://www.dailysabah.com/history/...eek-statues-discovered-in-southwestern-turkey I bet that is stated incorrectly. They were not "discovered Saturday", rather there was a press release that day. Really, they must have been found long before and prepared so the media would have something to see, especially if the photos on the site are photos of the recently found statues.
It sounds like at some point in history the statues were purposefully placed face down in a group. I wonder why. Had they been removed from their original location? Were they never installed in their intended location? How does this clearly predict what else might be found? What an odd statement.
Somewhere I got the idea that some 'surviving' statues came from trash heaps where broken marble that had outlived its original usefulness was recycled (by burning to make quicklime?) for use in plaster or cements. Confirm or deny? I don't think the Greeks had as high a tolerance for noseless, armless or old fashioned art as we do today.
