Turkey unearths rare statues of Roman Emperor Hadrian, Empress Sabina in ancient Mediterranean city

Nearly 2,000-year-old statues of Roman Emperor Hadrian and Empress Sabina, unearthed at the ancient city of Kibyra in southwest Turkey, have been restored. The statues, among four discovered during excavations of the Monumental City Gate, were carved around 130 CE and likely commissioned ahead of a visit by Hadrian to the region. The marble statues, including a 2.14-meter-tall depiction of Hadrian in military garb, were shattered in an earthquake in 417 CE and will be displayed at the Burdur Museum after full restoration.

Nearly 2,000-year-old statues of Roman Emperor Hadrian and his wife, Empress Sabina, have been restored after being unearthed at the ancient city of Kibyra, located on Turkey's Mediterranean coast. The statues were among four discovered during excavations of the Monumental City Gate, led by a team from Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University (MAKU). Hadrian's statue, standing 2.14 meters tall, is made of high-quality marble from the Afyon-Iscehisar region and depicts the emperor in military garb with lion and eagle features carved into the armor. The statue of Sabina is less complete, with missing fragments. The statues are thought to have been carved around 130 CE, likely commissioned ahead of a visit by Hadrian to the region. They are believed to have shattered during an earthquake in 417 CE. Once fully restored, they will be displayed at the Burdur Museum. Excavations on the gate began in 2025, with about 2,500 blocks moved for classification. The team expects to complete excavations in one more season.