2,300-Year-Old Roman Lead Weight In Assos Is The Largest Ever Discovered

Conny Waters - AncientPages.com - Archaeologists excavated at Assos, an ancient Greek city located on the Aegean coast in the Ayvacık district of Çanakkale province, Turkey, discovered a 2,300-year-old Roman lead weight.

Archaeologists have found a 2,300-year-olf Roman lead weight. Photo credit: IHA

The ancient lead weight found near the site of a Roman fountain is the largest ever discovered!  As previously reported on Ancient Pages, the Roman fountain was discovered last year and is located in front of the Roman-era cisterns of the gymnasium. The weight unearthed during this excavation bears intricate depictions of a mythological creature known as the griffin, and some representations showcase the city's name abbreviated as "ASS." Our ancestors have known the griffin for at least five thousand years. The intriguing hybrid animal had the body of a lion and head, sharp claws, and the snow-white or golden wings of the eagle.

A statue of a griffin on the Basilica di S. Marco. source

"The artifact that stands before us holds a distinct place in Assos's historical tapestry—a lead weighing unit. A tangible relic from the bygone era, these weights held city-specific significance, employed primarily for trade and the precise measurement of commodities. Comparable instances have been recovered from Hellenistic tombs, although those variants were characterized by lighter weights.

This specific lead weight, however, surpasses its predecessors in heft, tipping the scales at approximately 320 grams. Originating from the late Roman Assos, its origins trace back to the 2nd century B.C., offering a link to the city's past. Hailing from a time when the Agora played a pivotal role, this artifact serves as a testament to the meticulous practices of trade and measurement that once thrived within Assos's bustling marketplace," Professor and lead archaeologists Nurettin Arslan from the Faculty of Science and Letters at Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University's Archaeology Department told the Daily Sabah.

Professor Arslan explains a team of Turkish archaeologists initiated excavations at the ancient site of Assos in 1981, and this year marks the 42nd year of ongoing excavations.

During this time, scientists have made many valuable finds shedding light on the ancient past. Archaeologists have unearthed historical remnants of various structures from distinct epoch. "Among the prominent features being explored are the hostelry buildings, called "ksenedochion" from Byzantine, assembly chambers called "nymphaeum" from Romans, and "gymnasium" from Hellenistic periods," the Daily Sabah reports.

Professor Arslan shows some of the many ancient artifacts found at the site. Credit: Daily Sabah

There are also plans to make ancient buildings available to people. One project has the goal to restore and revive an ancient theater where colorful festivals and concerts can be held in the future.

Previously, archaeologists have found pottery and vessels, shedding light on the daily life of late Roman Assos.

"Further enriching the narrative are small terracotta figurines, which are believed to have played a role in religious ceremonies. Also unearthed are remnants of tableware, alongside an abundance of animal bones, predominantly those of sizeable cattle. Our analysis has discerned evidence of the consumption of animals like pigs, goats, and sheep.

While pigs appear to have been a staple, the presence of other species is also noteworthy. For a more comprehensive understanding, we eagerly await the detailed assessments of specialized researchers on this zoological assemblage," Professor Arslan said.

The excavations continue at the ancient site of Assos, Çanakkale, Türkiye, Aug. 15, 2023. (IHA Photo)

Assos was once an important regional center but had few chances to control its fate. “Dominated by Lydia and then Persia in the sixth century, it gained a measure of freedom in 478 B.C. as a member of an Athenian-led confederacy. “ ¹

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Assos' most famous resident was the Greek philosopher Aristotle who came to the city in 348 B.C. Later, Assos came once again under Persian control “until the advent of Alexander the Great in 334. After the conqueror’s death, the city passed from one of his successors to the next, finally coming under the dominion of the Kingdom of Pergamon, which was eventually absorbed into the Roman Empire. Assos prospered during the first and second centuries A.D., but later dwindled as it came at times under the Byzantines, Seljuk Turks, Frankish crusaders, and finally the Ottoman Turks in 1330.” ¹

By unearthing and restoring ancient monuments and buildings, scientists hope they can revive the cultural and historical importance of the magnificent city of Assos.

Written by Conny Waters - AncientPages.com Staff Writer

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