Excavations in the ancient city of Pisidia Antiokheia, located in the Yalvaç district of Isparta, uncovered a stone amulet dating back to the 4th century CE, believed to have been made for cancer patients. The talismanic necklace was found during excavations around a church on Aedilicus Hill.
Professor Dr. Mehmet Özhanlı, the head of the excavation team, said necklace was discovered during excavations around the church on Aedilicus Hill.
Upon examining the amulet, researchers observed that one side had a crab figure, while the other side contained the name of a sick girl and her parents. The crab figure holds meaning, as cancerous tumors were likened to cancers in ancient times, which is why the disease was named ‘karkinos’.
“Today, the word ‘cancer’ used also takes its name from the Greek word for ‘crab’.” This demonstrates the ancient understanding of the disease and its characteristics. The term ‘karkinos’ in Greek translates to ‘crab’, and it is from this word that the modern term ‘cancer’ is derived,” Özhanlı noted.
Such talismanic stones were widely used from the Hellenistic period until the 4th century CE. “A father whose daughter is ill had the necklace made and put it around her neck as an amulet for her healing,” Özhanlı said, as reported by En Son Haber.
“This was an interesting finding. In the 4th century CE, they are actually speaking of a disease like cancer,” Özhanlı added, according to yeniakit.com.tr. “Galen, one of the most important physicians of Ancient Rome, has information he provided about this disease,” Özhanlı said.
“The data obtained after studies on the amulet, one of the most unique artifacts found so far in the Antiokheia excavations, have further increased the importance of the find,” Özhanlı added, as reported by Diken.
Pisidia Antiokheia is located approximately one kilometer northeast of the Yalvaç district in Isparta, in the Göller Region where the Mediterranean, Aegean, and Central Anatolia regions intersect. Özhanlı explained that the city is situated at a strategic point providing transition from Central Anatolia to the Aegean and Mediterranean.
The city has remnants of structures from the Roman and Byzantine periods and features an irregular plan. Excavations and research have completely determined the locations of the city walls, and structures such as theaters, temples, and churches have been uncovered.
This article was written in collaboration with generative AI company Alchemiq
This article was originally published at www.jpost.com
