300 years after the famous Library of Alexandria burned down in Egypt, another lesser-known archive in the ancient Roman city of Doliche suffered a similar fate. This archive, located in modern-day Turkey, was set on fire by a Persian king during a war in 253 A.D., resulting in the destruction of all the documents stored inside. However, recent archaeological findings have revealed that some artifacts from this archive have managed to survive over the centuries.
Archaeologists from the Asia Minor Research Center made an intriguing discovery when they stumbled upon the ruins of the archive’s foundation, which was constructed using solid limestone. The University of Münster in Germany, in a news release dated November 14, reported that this foundation spans an area of approximately 2,000 square feet, making it comparable in size to an average American home.
Within the remains of the archive, researchers uncovered more than 2,000 clay seals, which were likely used to secure papyrus documents. These seals, serving a similar purpose to modern-day signatures, were utilized in ancient times as marks of ownership and indicators of social status, according to research conducted by the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Depicted on these seals were various gods, including Jupiter Dolichenus, the patron deity of the city.
The presence of this Roman god, widely worshipped throughout the empire, suggests the strong influence of Greco-Roman culture in the region. The discovery of such a significant collection of well-preserved artifacts is considered a fortunate stroke of luck by the researchers involved in the excavation.
In other news, divers exploring the depths of a lake in Italy made an intriguing discovery when they spotted an object at the bottom. Upon further investigation, it was revealed to be a 3,300-year-old weapon, providing valuable insights into the ancient community that once thrived in the area.
Additionally, searchers have recently uncovered a trove of buried treasures that were ritually interred by an ancient community 2,800 years ago. This find sheds light on the customs and practices of this long-lost civilization.
Lastly, the ruins of a monastery that was abandoned by its monks during a revolt 500 years ago have been unearthed. This discovery offers a glimpse into the turbulent history of the region and the events that led to the monastery’s downfall.
