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Archaeologists Unearth 2,300-Year-Old 'Temple of the Moon God' Men in Central Turkey featuring Intact Silver Lunar-Discs

📅 April 13, 2026 📰 Archaeology Today
Archaeologists Unearth 2,300-Year-Old 'Temple of the Moon God' Men in Central Turkey featuring Intact Silver Lunar-Discs

A team of archaeologists from the Ankara University Institute of Archaeology has announced the discovery of a remarkably well-preserved sanctuary dedicated to the Anatolian moon god, Men, in the ancient region of Phrygia. The site, dating back to the late 4th century BCE, features a unique circular layout that deviates from standard Hellenistic designs, suggesting a strong persistence of local indigenous architectural traditions during the transition to the Greek era.

Excavations revealed a central altar surrounded by twelve stone pillars, each corresponding to a lunar month. Most significantly, the team recovered a cache of thirteen silver lunar-discs and several crescent-shaped votive offerings tucked into a hidden sub-floor vault. These artifacts provide rare physical evidence of the specific ritual offerings made to the deity, often associated with healing, fertility, and protection of the deceased.

Original source: Archaeology Today