Religious sites, Cybele figurines discovered in Bergama

In the excavations carried out in and around the ancient city of Bergama, eight new religious sites and many figurines, which date back 2,200 years and are believed to have been used to worship the Anatolian goddess Cybele, have been unearthed.

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The excavations, carried out by the Culture and Tourism Ministry and the German Archaeological Institute in the Bergama, provide new information about the ancient world with new finds every year.

Five religious sites were found inside the city walls, which were used by the people of Pergamon 2,200 years ago, and three were found outside. Many statuettes of Cybele, known as "fertility goddess" or "mother goddess," were unearthed in the area, too.

The fact that Cybele figurines are seen more frequently in the ancient city of Bergama and its surroundings also sheds light on the faith of the local people.

Archaeologists believe that these findings show that the people of the city, where there are ostentatious religious buildings dedicated to Greek gods, such as the Temple of Athena, held religious rites in natural areas and made offerings in the name of the Anatolian goddess, Cybele.

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Professor Felix Pirson, the director of the German Archaeological Institute, told the state-run Anadolu Agency that the Bergama excavation was a joint Turkish and German project and that more than 100 scientists were working within for the project.

"We have been working on sanctuaries in the area for several years. We have found sacred areas in the city. This was also a surprise because we usually found the Cybele figurines outside the city and in the surrounding areas. After we found the figurines, we deepened the excavations in those areas. The newly found figurines give us a lot of...