Archaeologists Unearth 600 Seals and Amulets at Storm God's Sacred Site

Archaeologists have made a new and surprising discovery in an ancient sanctuary in Turkey. They've found more than 600 stamp seals and cylinder seals at the sacred site of the storm and weather god, Jupiter Dolichenus. The findings tell the researchers a little bit more about the ancient history of the place, revealing further insights into the worshippers that made pilgrimages there.

The seals, while sharing the fact that they were consecrated to the same god, still differ widely. Different themes can be found on the seals and amulets, ranging from geometric ornaments and astral symbols to elaborate depictions of animals and people. This includes praying men in front of divine symbols or royal men fighting animals and hybrid creatures.

"The amazingly large number proves how important seals and amulets were for the worshipping of a god to whom they were consecrated as votive offerings," said Engelbert Winter, the excavation director, in a news release. "Thus, they provide a surprisingly vivid and detailed insight into the faith of the time."

The findings don't just reveal insights into religion, though. They also show a bit more about the location's long history. In fact, the area covers a time span that reaches from the Iron Age and the sacred site of the Roman era to the long phase of utilization as a Christian monastery, which existed until well into the time of the Crusaders.

"The large find provides new impetus for research to answer unsolved questions of cult practices, cult continuity and cult extension--above all, these are important for the understanding of the early history of the sanctuary in the 1^st millennium BC, which had been unknown until recently," said Winter in a news release.

The seals are important for religion and also tell a bit more about the people who consecrated them. They express strong personal piety and the objects themselves were closely associated with the worshippers' own identities. In fact, many wore the amulets found with the seals at the site in everyday life. Strung on chains, they were supposed to ward off bad luck.

The findings are important for understand the location and the history of worship at the area. In addition, it shows a little bit more about the people that once lived in and visited the site.