In Turkey, archaeologists, while examining the walls of the Sinop Castle, discovered ancient bas-reliefs made in the form of bull heads. Experts say that ancient bull heads were considered a symbol of power.
According to Hurriyet Daily News, the opening was made as part of the City Square project. One of its goals is to reveal the historical beauty of the northern Turkish province of Sinop. To do this, relatively modern buildings and structures that are of little value are demolished. As a result, a new view of ancient monuments opens up.
Thanks to this work, scientists have made an unexpected discovery. They found bas-reliefs depicting the heads of bulls. These elements used to decorate the walls of the Sinop Castle. It would seem that they have always been in sight, but only now the bas-reliefs have been studied properly.
As a result, the experts came to the conclusion that these figures belong to the reign of King Mithridates VI. He was born in Sinop and ruled in what is now Anatolia between 120 and 63 BC. According to archaeologists, the figures were carved on the stones as a symbol of the power of that period. Such bas-reliefs were usually placed at the entrances to palaces and important temples.
“These figures are obviously not in their original places, they were probably moved here,” says Dzhemalettin Kaya, board member of the Sinop Association for the Study of History and Culture. “They were removed from temples, ancient palaces, entrances to buildings and rooftops of the city. The animals were used by soothsayers in ancient times and can be found in different parts of Sinop.”
