2,100-year-old inscription carries message to 'obey the laws'
Translation work is being carried out on a 2,100-year-old inscription found in the Gerger district of Adıyaman, which was airlifted by military helicopter from rugged cliffs to the Perre Ancient City. The inscription contains the phrase, 'Be extremely obedient to the laws and be respectful.'
AA
Prof. Dr. Margherita Facella from the University of Pisa and Dr. Charles Crowther from the University of Oxford conducted examinations on the artifact in Diyarbakır.
Prof. Dr. Margherita Facella provided information about the week-long study.
'OUR WORK CONTINUES'
Stating that the inscription is significant, Facella said, "It is an inscription that will shed light on humanity and the history of Commagene, and we are examining it. We want to provide support and contributions in this regard. We are very happy to be here. The inscriptions contain statements given by King Antiochus I of Commagene, especially to the public. Here, he specifically says, 'Be extremely obedient to the laws and be respectful.' Furthermore, behind the inscriptions, there is a relief of Antiochus I and Mithridates I. Our work continues, and we will provide much more detailed information in the future."
FOUND BY VILLAGERS
Villagers who saw a relief sculpture near Kımıldağı in the Onevler village of the Gerger district on September 26, 2023, reported it to the Adıyaman Museum Directorate, and teams that conducted an investigation determined that the area was a cult (sacred) site.
The teams found steles containing the inscription and a relief depicting a handshake scene in the area.
Due to the rugged nature of the region, the artifacts were transported to the Perre Ancient City with the help of ropes and a military helicopter.