Archaeologists have uncovered a unique 1,600-year-old pendant in Hadrianopolis, an ancient city in the Eskipazar district of Karabük, Turkiye. The artifact, dating back to the 5th century CE, portrays Solomon, a figure revered in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, on horseback, spearing the Devil.
The pendant, likely used as an amulet, carries an inscription reading, “Our Lord has overcome evil,” while the reverse side is engraved with the names of four archangels: Azrael, Gabriel, Michael, and Israfil.
This discovery was made during excavations led by Associate Professor Ersin Çelikbaş of Karabük University, as part of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s Legacy for the Future Project. Stratigraphic data and static graphic analyses confirmed the artifact’s origins in the early Byzantine era.
Dr. Çelikbaş highlighted the pendant’s significance, noting:
“This is a highly significant discovery for Anatolian archaeology. Similar examples have not been encountered in this region before. The depiction of Solomon, a figure central to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, surprised us and highlighted the importance of this artifact.”
Hadrianopolis, often referred to as the “Zeugma of the Black Sea” for its intricate mosaics, served as a settlement from the Late Chalcolithic period through the early Byzantine era. This pendant adds to the city’s rich historical and cultural legacy, shedding light on the spiritual and artistic practices of the time.
