2,800-year-old Phrygian religious site unearthed at Midas Castle in Turkey

In what seems like a groundbreaking discovery archaeologists have discovered ancient ovens and hearths in central Türkiye. These supposedly belonged to Phygians who inhabited the region around the seventh century BC, during the excavations at Midas Castle in Eskisehir.

Yusuf Polat from Anadolu University led the excavation which helped find important findings in the Midas Castle area which stretches around 26 hectare (88-acre). The Midas area had also been famous for the Yazilikaya Monument where the excavations began in 2022.

Additionally, the experts discovered a set of structures that the Phrygians built on a high plateau of the site around 2,800 years ago.

Excavations reveal Matar Kubileya’s role in fertility rituals and Phrygian history

During the excavations, several rock basins were also carved into the bedrock next to a statue of the Phrygian goddess Matar Kubileya, the deity of nature and fertility. As per the researchers , this site used to be a center for fertility rituals.

This goddess reportedly used to be one of the most important deities of the Phrygian pantheon. Representing nature and fertility, she ruled over the land of the people. People would often make frequent sacrifices to fetch her blessings, according to reports. Researchers also note that the deity would attract visitors from the whole Phrygian territory.

Apart from the Phrygian civilization, the researchers share that the Midas Valley had a historical importance. As per them, it had been a site of continuous human settlement for hundreds of thousands of years.

Talking about the Midas Castle, it has a strong history that dates back to almost 250,000 years. The castle featured stone tools from the Lower Paleolithic period that are being unearthed now. Looking at the finds, the researchers opine that the site’s plateau used to be a place for religious worship and ceremonies.

Dr Yosuf Polat noted that for the first time, the researchers identified hearths and simple stone foundations in front of a Phrygian altar, believed to have been used for ritual preparations.

Excavations in Türkiye reveal ancient civilizations, architecture, and settlement patterns

Excavations in Türkiye have helped discover massive and major archaeological treasures. Some of the sites like that of Göbekli Tepe has been one of the oldest known religious structures.

Additionally, the ancient city of Troy showcased complex societies, one those dated back to thousands of years. Some of the most recent digs include Hattusa, the Hittite capital, and Ephesus, a popular Roman city.

These excavations have provided a spectacle of the architecture , culture, and daily life of the people living in those times. Apart from this, the discovery of ancient theatre, temples, and public baths, majorly in places like Pergamon and Aphrodisias uphold the influence of ancient Greek and Roman civilizations.

About the excavation mentioned above, researchers add that nearly all subsequent civilizations inhabited the area. This mostly happened owing to deep valleys, which were the most suitable for defense, and agriculture, and featured wetlands, making them an attractive place for settlement.