2,200-Year-Old Assyrian Goddess Ishtar Necklace Found in Turkey

The theatre of the past metropolis of Amos. Credit: Ronnlund / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0

Archaeologists person unearthed a metallic necklace believed to correspond the goddess Ishtar astatine the past metropolis of Amos successful southwestern Turkey. The 2,200-year-old artifact, discovered successful the Marmaris territory of Muğla province, features a lion fig and an eight-pointed star, symbols historically linked to the Assyrian deity. Experts accidental the uncommon find offers caller clues astir taste speech and spiritual beliefs successful the Hellenistic period.

The necklace was recovered during 2025 excavations astatine Asarcık Hill, a tract nether continuous survey this year. The enactment is led by Mehmet Gürbüzer, an archaeologist with Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University. He said the goddess Ishtar necklace points to Amos’s taste extent and highlights the city’s relation successful past commercialized and connection networks.

Amos’s relation successful past commercialized and culture

Gürbüzer explained that Ishtar, besides known arsenic Inanna successful Sumerian traditions, was wide worshipped crossed the Near East.

The beingness of her symbols successful Amos suggests the metropolis had beardown ties beyond the Aegean, peculiarly done commerce and subject connections that became much salient astir the 7th period B.C. He described Amos arsenic a strategical larboard that maintained relationships with major civilizations of its time.

Archaeologists uncovered a 2,200-year-old metallic necklace linked to the goddess Ishtar astatine the past metropolis of Amos successful Muğla. The find offers caller penetration into the region’s taste and economical past. #Archaeology #Turkey #History #Ishtar #AncientWorld pic.twitter.com/sJpu6chSwf

— Tom Marvolo Riddle (@tom_riddle2025) December 30, 2025

The archaeologist besides emphasized that early-period discoveries are indispensable for knowing the city’s past, revealing its economical and taste significance. Excavation efforts volition proceed successful 2026, focusing connected residential structures and the Temple of Greek deity Apollo Samnaios.

Excavations uncover goddess Ishtar necklace successful Turkey

The tract gained authoritative excavation presumption successful 2022 done a statesmanlike decree. Work is being conducted arsenic portion of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s Heritage for the Future project. The inaugural is supported by the Marmaris Chamber of Commerce, Marmaris Municipality and Marti Hotel and Marina.

Archaeological involvement successful Amos dates backmost to 1948, erstwhile British archaeologist G.E. Bean led the archetypal documented dig. Among his findings were lease contracts detailing onshore rentals, which offered penetration into the city’s economical strategy and drew scholarly attraction to the site.