Scientists from the University of Münster have unearthed 600 amulets, stamp and cylinder seals dating from the 7th through the 4th centuries BC at the archaeological site of the ancient city of Doliche (modern Dülük) in southeastern Turkey.
Ancient seals found at the ancient city of Doliche, Turkey. Image credit: Forschungsstelle Asia Minor.
“Such large amounts of seal consecrations are unheard-of in any comparable sanctuary,” said Prof Engelbert Winter, director of excavations.
The artifacts were found at the sacred site of the storm and weather god Jupiter Dolichenus.
“The amazingly large number proves how important seals and amulets were for the worshipping of the god to whom they were consecrated as votive offerings. Thus, they provide a surprisingly vivid and detailed insight into the faith of the time,” Prof Winter said.
The seals as well as scarabs, made of glass, stone and quartz ceramics, were mostly crafted in a high-quality manner.
“Different themes can be found on the seals and amulets: the spectrum ranges from geometric ornaments and astral symbols to elaborate depictions of animals and people. This includes, for example, praying men in front of divine symbols. Another popular theme was a royal hero fighting animals and hybrid creatures.”
“Even those images that do not depict a deity express strong personal piety: with their seals, people consecrated an object to their god which was closely associated with their own identity”, said team member Dr Michael Blömer.
To date, the archaeologists have been able to identify late Babylonian, local Syrian Achaemenid and Levantine seals.
“The large find provides new impetus for research to answer unsolved questions of cult practices, cult continuity and cult extension – above all, these are important for the understanding of the early history of the sanctuary in the 1st millennium BC, which had been unknown until recently,” Prof Winter said.
Later, in the 2nd century A.D., Jupiter Dolichenus turned into one of the most important deities of the Roman Empire.
At the dig site, the team also unearthed a well-preserved section of the thick Iron Age enclosing wall and structures from the 7th to 4th centuries before Christ.
