ANKARA, TURKEY— Yeni Şafak reports that more goddess statues have been
discovered in central Anatolia, at the site of Kültepe, the capital of the ancient kingdom
of Kanesh. Fikri Kulakoğlu of Ankara University said that the largest of the 4,200-year-
old statues unearthed this excavation season stands about 17 inches tall. “No idols of men have been found so far,” he added. “The women statues are naked and have a decorated throne, and there are braids on their back.” The statues are likely to be connected to religious beliefs in the region, Kulakoğlu explained.”