Excavations at the Phrygian site of Gordion in central Turkey have yielded a remarkable set of wulfenite-incrusted ritual bells. The bells, cast from high-tin bronze and studded with orange-yellow wulfenite crystals, were used during the 'Festival of the Copper-Gale,' a rite intended to pacify the powerful spring winds that sweep across the Anatolian plateau. The sharp, high-pitched tones of the bells were believed to harmonize with the sound of the wind, creating a 'sacred gale' that protected the budding crops.
The bells were found buried within the foundations of a ceremonial gatehouse, suggesting they played a role in the ritual fortification of the city. Scholars note that the inclusion of wulfenite, which is not local to Gordion, indicates the far-reaching trade networks used to procure materials for these essential state festivals. The discovery provides new insight into the Phrygian relationship with the environment, where meteorological phenomena were addressed through sophisticated auditory and visual rituals.