Aspendos dig reveals wrestler coins and skeletal remains

[guy]

 

As archaeological research continues in Aspendos, Turkey, recent findings are making headlines. (See previous posts below.)

During a recent excavation of a newly uncovered ancient cemetery, researchers discovered skeletal remains alongside coins featuring wrestlers. The tomb is dated between 475 and 300 BCE. (The image above shows a coin similar to one of those found, though it is not the exact coin from the tomb.)

The grave appears to belong to a Classical‑period athlete — possibly a wrestler — based on the objects interred with him. Archaeologists discovered the skeleton within a box‑style stone sarcophagus, along with silver staters minted in Aspendos that depict two nude wrestlers, a motif strongly associated with the city’s athletic identity.

Several Aspendian wrestler coins were placed with the deceased. These coins circulated widely, suggesting (but not proving) that the person was a wrestler. Scholars note that skeletal analysis — e.g., healed nasal fractures or musculoskeletal markers — will be needed to confirm athletic activity. The coin's presence in the grave would still be meaningful: it could merely reflect Aspendos’ civic identity, where wrestling was not just a sport but a marker of local prestige.

Aspendos was a Greco‑Roman city in Pamphylia, about 16 km inland from the Mediterranean. It was founded by Greek colonists in the 5th century B.C. and became a prosperous hub for the trade in salt, olive oil, timber, and horses.

 

 

 

https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/2-400-year-old-grave-of-possible-ancient-pro-wrestler-discovered-in-turkey

 

 

 

 

 

Edited 1 hour ago by guy

[guidoLaMoto]

Interesting coin-- they seem to be wearing ear protectors much like modern wrestlers wear.

The inscription seems to be in Greek letters. Latin luctari = to wrestle. I don't know Greek, but using an Italian to Greek dictionary, the word for wrestle is apparently transliterated to "agonisw".....the inscription seems to be in Greek letters and a mix of caps and lower case.....I suspect they used abbreviations extensively like Romans or modern Millennials texting in their mysterious code.