Archaeologists in southeastern Bulgaria near the border with Greece discovered a nearly 7-foot-tall statue of the ancient Greek god Hermes during digs this week.
The unexpected discovery was made during excavations of ancient Roman sewers in the abandoned city of Heraclea Sintica, founded by King Philip II of Macedon between 356 and 339 BC
This massive city was destroyed by an earthquake in 388 AD
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Archaeologists in southeastern Bulgaria near the border with Greece discovered a nearly seven-foot-tall statue of the ancient Greek god Hermes during digs this week. (Reuters/Thanks to Sergeyeva)
“The head was preserved. It’s in very good condition,” said chief archaeologist Lyudmil Vagalinski, explaining that the marble statue was placed in a sewer and covered with earth. Probably because Christianity was adopted as the official religion by the Romans.
The statue was discovered during excavations in the ancient city of Heraclea Sinitica, near what is now the Bulgarian village of Rupite. (Reuters/Thanks to Sergeyeva)
He added that the statue was a Roman copy of an ancient Greek statue.
“All paganism was banned, and new ideologies were added,” Wagarinsky said.
He added, “But apparently they took care of their old gods.”
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Archaeologists say the statue is well preserved. (Reuters/Thanks to Sergeyeva)
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Heraclea Sintica, now the Bulgarian village of Rupite, declined rapidly after the earthquake and was abandoned around 500 AD.
