A statue of a nymph (water fairy), discovered last month during excavations in the ancient city of Amastris in modern Turkey, has been identified as a statue of Aphrodite.

A statue of a nymph (water fairy), discovered last month during excavations in the ancient city of Amastris in modern Turkey, has been identified as a statue of Aphrodite.

The statue was examined in detail by scientists and experts from Bartyn University and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Turkey. Experts have carefully studied about 20 samples of Aphrodite statues previously found in Turkey, and determined that the statue has the characteristics of both a nymph and Aphrodite. Further research showed that the statue was still exactly Aphrodite.

The statue was discovered at a depth of approximately 3.70 meters during drilling to determine the soil in the building of the gymnasium of the ancient city. Scientists have concluded that the statue of a nymph with a height of 1.53 meters dates back to the second century AD.

Speaking about the statue, Deputy director of the Amasra Museum Gyuray Jan Aytekin said: "Our goal was to reach the floor of the gymnasium building, and we found the statue about 4 meters underground."