A team of international archaeologists has discovered the ruins of a 4th-century BCE temple dedicated to the goddess Iris in ancient Lycia, located in modern-day Turkey. The site is notable for its rainbow-pigmented murals, which have remained remarkably vivid. This is the first known sanctuary specifically dedicated to the messenger of the gods to be found in such an intact state in the Mediterranean region.
The excavations revealed a central altar surrounded by slender Doric columns and a hidden subterranean chamber containing ritual silver vessels and bronze wings. Experts believe the temple served as a navigational landmark for ancient seafarers. The sacred architecture displays a unique blend of local Lycian rock-cut styles and classical Hellenistic influences, marking a significant find for global heritage studies.