Experts have discovered an ancient Egyptian image in a Roman-era bathhouse in Sagalassos, Turkey, which some say is the first known example of the image being used for decorative purposes outside Egypt.
The lintel of the bathroom door depicts the Sphinx god Tutu, who symbolizes protection, while on both sides of the door are two figures wearing the crowns of Upper and Lower Egypt. All of these images are meant to show how Tutu protected the entire kingdom of Egypt.
The beautifully carved marble panels feature several ancient Egyptian deities, including Horus, the falcon-headed god of the sky, war, and kingship, and Sobek, the crocodile-headed god of the Nile, fertility, and protection.
The panel, which dates to the reign of the Roman emperor Augustus from 27 BC to 14 AD, was discovered during excavations in Rome. Freezeror cold room, in the bathroom. Analysis of the marble revealed that the slab came from more than 124 miles from the Hisar region of Afyonkara in Türkiye.
Peter Talloen, director of excavations and chair of the Department of Archeology at Bilkent University, said: “This scene, which we revisited last year, is inscribed on Afyon marble and provides unique insights into the decorative scheme of temples dedicated to Egyptian gods outside the Nile region.” Anadolu Agency.
He added, “There are no other examples of this kind of imagery outside Egypt. The Sagarathians did not worship the Egyptian gods; they simply used them for decorative purposes.”
With over 12,000 years of human habitation, Sagalassos began as a settlement on the slopes of Mount Akda. Known as the “First City of the Province” under the Roman Emperor Hadrian, Sagarathos was the most important urban center of Pisidia during its heyday. The site is on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List and many artifacts have been unearthed since excavations began in 1989.
