A significant archaeological discovery has been made at the ancient city of Assos, located in the Ayvacık district of Çanakkale, Turkey. Researchers have unearthed a Roman Imperial Period ringstone depicting Athena, the mother goddess and protector of Assos. This find was made within the Ksenedochion structure, a set of hostelry buildings in the Assos Ruins, and it sheds light on the deep historical and cultural roots of this ancient city.
Assos, situated in the southwestern part of the Biga Peninsula (Troad), within the borders of the Village of Behramkale, has a storied past. The city was first settled during the Bronze Age, and there is speculation that it might correspond to the ancient cities of Assuwa, mentioned in Hittite texts, and Pedasos, referenced in Homer’s Iliad. The city as we know it was established in the 7th century BC by settlers from Methymna on the island of Lesbos. Athena, the daughter of Zeus and one of the 12 Olympian gods, was revered as the city’s protector and held a significant place in its religious life.
For nearly four decades, Turkish scientists have been conducting extensive excavations in Assos. Under the leadership of Professor Nurettin Arslan from the Department of Archaeology at Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University’s Faculty of Science and Letters, a team of twenty archaeologists continues to explore the ruins, uncovering layers of history that date back thousands of years. The excavation efforts are supported by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, with sponsorship from İÇDAŞ.
Professor Arslan, discussing the recent discovery, explained, “During our work this year, we found a valuable ringstone made of stone in the Ksenedochion structure. This ringstone depicts Athena, who was the main goddess of the city, standing. As far as we know, such stones were quite common during the Roman period, but they were also used before and after that era. We can say that this belonged to a prominent person in the city and was used as a seal. We estimate it to date to the 2nd or 3rd century A.D., suggesting a history of 1,600 to 1,700 years. This, of course, helps to identify individuals. In the ancient period, such seals were used as a substitute for signatures, similar to how signatures are used today.”
The history of Assos is marked by periods of both prosperity and turmoil. In the 6th century BC, it became subject to Lydia, a powerful kingdom in western Asia Minor. Following the fall of Lydia to the Persian King Cyrus II, Assos was absorbed into the Persian Empire. During the 5th century BC, it joined the Athenian Confederacy but later fell back under Persian control until Alexander the Great’s conquest in 334 BC. After Alexander’s death, the city changed hands among his successors before ultimately coming under the rule of the Kingdom of Pergamon, which was later incorporated into the Roman Empire. Assos thrived during the first and second centuries A.D. but experienced decline in subsequent centuries, passing under Byzantine, Seljuk, Frankish Crusader, and eventually Ottoman control in 1330.
The discovery of the Athena ringstone not only enriches our understanding of Assos’s history but also highlights the city’s significance in the ancient world. The ringstone, likely used as a personal seal by a prominent individual, is a tangible connection to the city’s past, underscoring the enduring legacy of its cultural and religious heritage. As excavations continue, more such artifacts may emerge, further illuminating the history of this ancient city and its people.