Archaeologists in Turkey have uncovered fragments of a larger-than-life marble statue of famed Roman emperor Roman Emperor Publius Aelius Traianus Hadrianus believe to date back some 1,900 years.
The pieces were found in different locations during excavations of a parliament building on the site of the ancient city of Alabanda, in Turkey's western Aydin province.
Experts believe the sculpture was brought to Alabanda in 120 AD in honor of a visit by Publius Aelius Traianus Hadrianus Augustus, who was also known as Hadrian.
To date, six segments of the statue have been found—including parts of its head and body—and It's believed that the intact figure stood more than eight feet tall.
Archaeologists are continuing to find the other parts of the statue, which will eventually be displayed at the Aydın Archaeology Museum.
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Archaeologists in west Turkey have uncovered fragments of a larger-than-life marble statue of famed Roman emperor Hadrian believe to date back some 1,900 years
Alabanda, located on an area of about 1,235 acres in modern-day Çine, is believed to be one of the largest ancient cities in Anatolia, a large peninsula in Western Asia that constitutes the majority of modern-day Turkey.
During the reign of Hadrian, between 117 and 138 AD, Anatolia was under Roman control and the emperor is believed to have visited often.
'We think that there is an inscription of honor next to this statue, which we think was made for the arrival of Hadrian,' Umut Tuncer, Aydın Provincial Culture and Tourism Director, told Hurriyet Daily News.
Ali Yalçın, an archaeologist at Tavukçu Erzurum Atatürk University, began excavations in the region in 2015.
Excavations began excavations in the region in 2015.Hadrian is known to have visited Anatolia frequently and archaeologists believe the statue was brought to Alabanda, one of the largest cities in Anatolia, in 120 AD in honor of such a visit
At least six segments of the eight-foot statue have been located in the parliament building in Alabanda. When it is complete it will go on dispaly at the Aydın Archaeology Museum
'Last year, we accelerated the work in the billiardium [council building], which is one of the three important sections here,' Tavukçu told the outlet.
'This year we found fragments of the armored emperor statue, which we call 'portrait sculpture.'
The parliament building where the fragments were located is one of the
