The head and hand of a statue of the Armenian goddess Anahit have arrived in Armenia for the first time, following the British Museum’s decision to loan them for a six-month exhibition. This marks the first time these fragments will be displayed in Armenia. The exhibition, titled “Mother Goddess: From Anahit to Mary,” has been opened on September 21, 2024, Armenia’s Independence Day, at the History Museum of Armenia, and will run until March 21, 2025.
Known as the Satala Aphrodite, the 2nd or 1st century BC statue fragments were discovered in 1871 in Satakh/Satala (classical Armenia Minor, present-day Sadak, Turkey). Though usually associated with the Greek goddess Aphrodite, the statue has been linked to her Armenian equivalent, Anahit, the goddess of fertility, healing, wisdom, and water. Italian art dealer Alessandro Castellani sold the head to the British Museum in 1873 and donated the hand in 1875.
The main temple of Anahit was located in Yeriza, a town in Upper Armenia. The temple was looted in 34 BC during the invasion led by Roman general Mark Antony. His soldiers broke the massive golden statue of Anahit and took it to Rome. According to legend, the first soldier who attacked the statue went blind, then mad, and later died.
The British Museum is known for its extensive collection and commitment to exhibiting its treasures worldwide. As a global center for cultural exchange, the museum provides more than 5,000 exhibits each year, making rare and valuable artifacts like the Anahit statue accessible to international audiences.
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