In the ancient Greek city of Assos, located in what is now northwest Turkey, archaeologists have unearthed a 1,700-year-old iron trident. This 3rd or 4th century relic of the ancient Aegean seaside resort was found during excavations of the Nymphaion, an “ornate fountain” in the eastern center of the ancient city. The trident was discovered among the debris of the collapsed vault of the Nymphaion, and its size and distinctive shape identified it as the functional tip of a hand-held fishing harpoon.
Archaeological excavations in the ancient city are being carried out by a team led by Nurettin Arslan, professor specializing in humanities and social sciences at Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University. This company receives support from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Turkish Historical Society to facilitate the excavation work.
An iron trident dating from the 3rd or 4th century AD has been discovered in the ancient Aegean resort of Assos in northwest Turkey. https://t.co/1plwtubRzI pic.twitter.com/v7HgVtzbpe
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Iron out the details
“This is the first time we have found such materials in Assos, because iron tools are the materials that decompose most quickly in ancient cities. Even though we know that such tools were widely used in ancient times, we can say that this is an important work because the examples that have survived until now are very rare. As far as we know, it is said or we see in descriptions that such tools were used in ancient times to catch large fish at sea in small boats by lighting them with a torch at night. Arslan explained to Anadolu Agency .
For now, Arslan is cautious about determining the place of production of the iron used in the trident. At this time in history, iron was widely available in all geographic areas. It is therefore also possible that it is iron of local origin or iron slag, and that the forging was carried out elsewhere, reports The Heritage Daily . For now, the artifact has undergone a preservation process, involving the removal of soil and oxidized sections. Subsequently, protective materials will be applied to prevent further oxidation of the iron.
The Temple of Athena, Assos. (Carl Campbell/ CC BY 2.0 ACT)
Assos and the Trident: a rich history
Located in the Ayvacik district of Canakkale, Assos, also known as Behramkale, illuminates history through its ancient ruins above ground and artifacts from the Roman and Byzantine eras unearthed during excavations. Dating from the 8th century BC, Assos was colonized by The Greeks from the island of Lesbos, and it played an important role in Antiquity.
Assos has prospered due to its strategic location, serving as the only deep natural port for 80.46 km along the Biga Peninsula. This unique feature has made it an extremely coveted prize by various ancient powers and local rulers over the centuries. THE Lydian Kingdom the Persian Empire, the Athenian Confederacy and intriguing figures like the former slave turned philosopher king Hermias, all sought to control this precious city, reports The history blog .
In 334 BC, Alexander claimed Assos as part of his conquests, and in 133 BC it came under Roman rule . Throughout these transitions, the port remained a vital center, retaining its importance in the Byzantine and Ottoman eras. It was only in the 18th century that it gradually fell into disuse, marking the end of its long and rich maritime history.
The city was home to prominent philosophers, including Aristotle, who taught and lived there. Its archaeological site is home to remarkably well-preserved ruins, such as the temple of Athena, an ancient city wall, a theater, an agora and a necropolis.
Trident have served a variety of purposes, including spearfishing, and have a rich historical heritage as polearms. In classical mythology, the trident is closely related to Poseidon in Greek mythology and Neptune in Roman mythology, symbolizing their mastery of the sea. In Greek mythology, Poseidon was the god of the sea, earthquakes and horses. The trident was his divine weapon and symbol of authority. This represented his dominance over the seas and his ability to control and create storms and earthquakes. Neptune was the Roman parallel.
The symbolism of the trident extends to Greco-Roman maritime culture and was a common motif on coins, ships and naval insignia. Its importance was therefore a protective and guiding force on the seas, at a time when the sea and oceans were relatively unexplored and the fear of the unknown was greater.
Top image: Trident found in Assos, Türkiye. Source: Ciğdem Münibe Alyanak/ Anadolu Agency
By Sahir Pandey
