Archaeologists excavating the ancient Roman military stronghold of Satala in northeastern Turkey have unearthed a bronze bust of the Egyptian goddess Isis. The eight-inch-tall sculpture, found in a necropolis, dates to the 2nd or 3rd century CE and depicts Isis atop a circular base with calyx-shaped leaves. The discovery was led by Elif Yavuz Çakmur of Karadeniz Technical University and marks the first sculpture found at the site since the Satala Aphrodite was unearthed in 1872.
The find is significant because it reveals the religious diversity within the Roman army, where the cult of Isis—associated with protection and fortune—was embraced alongside those of Mithra and the Twelve Gods. It underscores how Eastern deities spread through trade and military networks across the Roman Empire. The bust is being restored and will eventually be displayed at the Gümüşhane City Museum, adding a new chapter to the archaeological record of Satala.