A remarkable discovery was made in the ancient city of Metropolis in western Türkiye: a monumental marble head of a female statue originating from the Hellenistic period, which may depict Hestia, one of the unassuming yet prominent goddesses of Ancient Greece. This find highlights both the artistic mastery and the symbolic significance of this city, which has existed for thousands of years.
With excavations continuing since 1989, the ancient city of Metropolis, in Torbalı near İzmir in western Türkiye, is slowly revealing its Hellenistic past. This city, whose public buildings showcase a blend of Greek and Anatolian influences, has once again become the focus of attention thanks to a major discovery: a monumental marble head unearthed in a commercial building. Formal and technical analyses indicate that this might depict the goddess Hestia, the protector of the hearth and the symbol of civic unity in Greek mythology.
The excavations are conducted under the leadership of Professor Serdar Aybek from Dokuz Eylül University as part of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism's "Heritage for the Future" program, with support from the Sabancı Foundation. Anadolu Agency announced the initial findings about the statue, highlighting its historical, religious, and artistic significance.
An Unexpected Discovery in a Commercial Building
The monumental head unearthed in Metropolis comes not from a temple or sacred site, but from a structure identified as having a commercial function. This situation demonstrates that the boundaries between economic and religious areas in ancient cities may be more permeable than previously assumed. The coexistence of commercial activity and divine representations in Metropolis shows that the organisation of the polis is more intricate than expected. The sacred could also manifest itself in places that appeared to be ordinary.
The Ministry of Culture and Tourism's "Heritage for the Future" programme uncovered only a few findings directly indicating cult practices from this structure. Despite this, the presence of such a sophisticated piece implies that the space's function may be broader. According to Prof. Serdar Aybek, this location could serve as a multipurpose space with economic, public, and symbolic functions.
An Advanced Mastery of Hellenistic Sculpture
The head found in Metropolis stands out for its exceptional craftsmanship and reflects advanced Hellenistic sculpture techniques. This work combines sensitivity in craftsmanship, structural complexity, and an emphasis on realism. Archaeologists' visual analyses, along with the work of restorer Didem Taner, revealed many important technical details about the artefact.
Possibility of Hestia and Unity of Polis Residents Through Visual Means
The excavation team's most serious hypothesis is that this head belonged to the goddess Hestia, who protects the hearth and the polis union. This identification is based not only on stylistic characteristics but also on morphological similarity to a body part previously discovered in the Bouleuterion, the structure where the polis council met. According to Prof. Aybek, the two pieces are physically and stylistically compatible. This indication increases the likelihood of fully reconstructing the statue.
A New Perspective on the Artistic Landscape of Metropolis
Long overshadowed by centres like Ephesus and Pergamon, Metropolis is now establishing itself as a major artistic hub. The discovery of this monumental head challenges the widely held belief that secondary polis in Türkiye only imported ready-made statue models. On the contrary, it indicates the presence of a vibrant local production that is linked to the Aegean world's artistic and technical networks.