A 2,600-year-old inscription engrave on a monument in Turkey, known as Arslan Kaya or “lion rock,” has decipher, according to research by Professor Mark Munn of Pennsylvania State University.
This ancient carving, which has endure significant damage from weathering and looting, contains references to Materan, a goddess revered by the Phrygians, an ancient civilisation that thrived in the region between 1200 and 600 B.C. Materan, often simply call as “the Mother,” was central to Phrygian religious beliefs.
The Arslan Kaya monument is decorate with images of lions and sphinxes, which were symbols of strength and protection in Phrygian culture.
The name Materan, decipher through careful analysis of the damage inscription, appears alongside a depiction of the goddess.
Materan was later venerate by other cultures, known as “Mother of the Gods” by the Greeks and as “Magna Mater” or “Great Mother” by the Romans.
At the time the inscription was create, the region was under the influence of the Lydian kingdom, which also held Materan in high regard.
The inscription, believe to have part of a longer text, may have details the commissioning party and explain the goddess’s significance.
The text has the subject of scholarly debate for over a century.
Munn utilise details photographs and historical records to piece together its meaning, noting that optimal lighting on April 25, 2024, play a crucial role in capturing the monument’s details.
Rostyslav Oreshko, a lecturer at the Practical School of Advance Studies in France, told LiveScience that Munn’s work affirms earlier readings from the 19th century, which identified the name Materan.
After this, Rostyslav Oreshko emphasise that the study solidifies previous interpretations rather than offering entirely new insights.
The decipher inscription sheds light on the enduring cultural significance of Materan and highlights the Phrygians’ influence on subsequent civilisations.
