t24.com.tr
2,000 Bronze Statues Found in Ancient Metropolis Junkyard
Excavations at Metropolis Ancient City in Izmir, Turkey, unearthed roughly 2,000 fragmented bronze statue pieces from an ancient junkyard, suggesting Late Antique bronze recycling due to religious and economic shifts.
- What is the significance of the discovery of 2,000 bronze statue fragments in Metropolis's ancient junkyard, and what does it reveal about Late Antiquity?
- In Torbali, Izmir, approximately 2,000 bronze statue fragments were found in an area of the ancient city of Metropolis that was used as a junkyard in antiquity. The excavation, part of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism's "Legacy to the Future Project," unearthed fragmented bronze statues, seemingly prepared for smelting. This discovery provides concrete evidence of bronze recycling in the Late Antique period.
- How does the discovery of bronze statue fragments in Metropolis relate to broader changes in religious beliefs and practices during the Late Antique period?
- The discovery connects to broader patterns of religious and societal shifts in the Late Antique Age. The destruction and recycling of bronze statues, primarily mythological figures, likely reflects the decline of polytheism and rise of Christianity. The presence of both Hellenistic and Roman-era pieces suggests a span of several centuries of accumulated discarded materials.
- What future research could shed more light on the systematic recycling of bronze in Late Antiquity, and what additional insights could be gleaned from this find?
- This find has significant implications for understanding Late Antiquity's material culture and economic practices. The scale of bronze recycling suggests a systematic process, potentially linked to the increased value of bronze and the demand for metal in other industries like coin minting. Further research could reveal more about the socio-economic factors driving this practice.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article frames the discovery as exceptionally significant, emphasizing the large number of bronze fragments and their potential connection to prominent citizens. The headline and introductory sentences immediately highlight the dramatic aspect of "2000 bronze statue pieces" found in a "junkyard." This framing may unintentionally downplay other aspects of the archaeological findings and the ongoing research.
Language Bias
The language used is largely neutral. However, terms such as "junkyard" to describe the location might subtly influence the reader's perception. More neutral terms such as "discarded area" or "area of discarded materials" could be used to avoid potentially negative connotations.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the discovery and Professor Aybek's statements, omitting potential counterarguments or alternative interpretations of the findings. While the article mentions the lack of definitive proof for the theory of religious motivations behind the destruction of statues, it doesn't explore other possible explanations for the discovered bronze fragments in detail. This omission could lead to a skewed understanding of the historical context.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a somewhat simplistic view of the reasons for the bronze statue destruction, primarily focusing on the shift from polytheistic to monotheistic beliefs. While this is a plausible explanation, it doesn't fully explore the complexities of socio-economic factors or other potential causes, creating a false dichotomy between religious change and other contributing factors.
Sustainable Development Goals
The discovery and preservation of ancient artifacts contribute to cultural heritage preservation, potentially boosting tourism and creating economic opportunities in the region, thus contributing to poverty reduction.