Archeology News reported that a pendant about 1,600 years old was excavated by archaeologists in the ancient city of Hadrianopolis, located in the Eskipazar region of Karabük province, Türkiye.
Both pendants are engraved with ancient motifs and writings. The front depicts Solomon, a figure of great importance in the Bible and Islam.
In the engraving, Solomon is seen stabbing the devil with a spear, next to an ancient inscription that translates as: “Our God has conquered evil.” The back of the necklace bears the names of four Archangels: Azrael, Gabriel, Michael and Israfil.
The artifacts were discovered during an excavation led by Associate Professor Ersin Çelikbaş from Karabük University as part of the “Heritage for the Future” project of the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
Analysis and data from archaeologists show that this pendant dates back to the 5th century and was used as an amulet to pray for protection and victory over evil.
This is an important discovery for Turkish archaeology and the first artifact related to Solomon unearthed in Hadrianopolis, which shows the profound influence of this figure in the culture and religion of the region, said Associate Professor Çelikbaş.
Solomon is a famous king in the Bible and considered a prophet in Islam. He is praised as a symbol of wisdom and justice.
The image of Solomon on the necklace not only plays a great role in beliefs but also reflects the belief in the struggle between good and evil of people in that period.
Hadrianopolis was an important cultural and military center, famous for its unique mosaics, earning it the nickname “Zeugma of the Black Sea”.
