A unique 1600-year-old pendant depicting the Prophet Solomon has been discovered

During the archaeological excavations in the ancient city of Hadrianopolis, the Zeugma of the Black Sea, a unique pendant depicting the Prophet Solomon, which is approximately 1600 years old, was discovered.

Under the presidency of Karabük University Faculty of Letters, Department of Archaeology, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ersin Çelikbaş, excavations have so far yielded structures such as two baths, two churches, a defensive structure, rock tombs, a theater, an arched and domed structure, a monumental cultic niche (cavity in the wall), fortifications, villas, other monumental buildings and some cult (sacred) areas.

Hadrianopolis Ancient City is located in Eskipazar district of Karabük.

Previously unseen pendant used as an amulet

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ersin Çelikbaş said, “We unearthed one of these during the excavations carried out in the structure we call ‘SDJ-3’ this week. We think it is an important artifact for Anatolian archaeology. Because similar examples have never been encountered in this geography before. What is this artifact? Actually, this is a pendant used as an amulet, which we call muska.”

Çelikbaş stated that one of the things that make this object important is the inscriptions on both sides and the depiction on it, and noted the following:

“It depicts the Prophet Solomon on a horse with a spear in his hand spearing the devil. So why is there such a depiction? Because Solomon is important in all 3 holy religions. In Judaism and the Bible, he is mentioned as a ruler, while in Islam he is mentioned as a prophet as well as a ruler. In other words, the depiction of the Prophet Solomon, who is important for the Abrahamic religions, on this necklace really surprised us and showed us that it is an important artifact for Anatolian archaeology.”

Explaining that the inscription on the pendant reads “Our Lord defeated evil”, Çelikbaş said, “So why was this pendant, this amulet found here? Actually, the military nature of the ancient city of Hadrianopolis has an impact on this. What is it? We had determined the existence of a cavalry unit in Hadrianopolis with concrete data as a result of archaeological excavations in previous years.”

On the front side of the necklace, it is mentioned that the Prophet Solomon and our Lord defeated evil. On the reverse side are the names of 4 holy angels. Azrail, Gabriel, Michael and Israfil.

Çelikbaş said, ‘This is also very important. No similar example of this artifact has been found in Anatolian archaeology until today.”

Cover Photo: Orhan Kuzu/Anadolu Agency