Unique Roman signet ring engraved with quadriga found in ancient city of Myra

Archaeological excavations in Myra, one of the six most important Hellenized cities of the Lycian League, and its port Andriake in the southern Turkish province of Antalya have unearthed a 1,800-year-old signet ring without a band.

Credit: Hurriyet

The one-centimetre signet ring is made of red Jasper stone and features an engraving of chariots drawn by four horses, a hippodrome and monuments.

Excavations at the ancient city of Myra and Andriake entered their ninth year, according to the head of the excavations, Nevzat Çevik, a professor of Akdeniz University’s classical archaeology department.

He said that this year they carried out cleaning and protection works in Myra and focused on the works carried out in Andriake.

Credit: Hurriyet

“In order to protect the environment around the Lycian Civilizations Museum, which we established in the region, we particularly worked to complete the excavations in the waterfront and in the areas close to the walking routes. At the same time we want to improve the museum route while continuing our scientific works,” he said.

Çevik said they had started the excavations in the second bath in Andriake this year, adding that they also continued excavations in a Roman-era necropolis.

Speaking of the importance of the excavations in the necropolis field, he said, “The graves not only tell us about the dead, but they also tell us about life. Therefore, the findings are very important. These findings belong to the living beings of that period. We made very interesting findings such as coins, oil lamps and jewellery. These items also provide information about the identity and social status of the owners and information about that period.”

Source: Hurriyet Daily News [November 12, 2018]