A marble statue group depicting the ancient Greek god of medicine Asclepius and his son and assistant Telesphoros has been unearthed at the ancient city of Aspendos in Antalya, southern Türkiye, Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy announced.
The 2.20-meter-tall (7.2-foot) sculpture group was uncovered as part of the ministry’s Legacy for the Future Project, which supports archaeological excavations and restoration efforts across Türkiye.
"An approximately 1,800-year-old symbol of healing has come to light in Aspendos," Ersoy said in a post on social media. "During excavations carried out at the ancient city, we discovered a marble statue group depicting Asclepius, the god of medicine, together with his son and assistant Telesphoros."
Statue heads viewed from different angles, unearthed at the ancient city of Aspendos, Antalya, southern Türkiye, Aug. 5, 2026. (AA Photo)
Symbol of ancient healing
