These two pH๏τos—one taken in the late 19th century and the other recently—capture the majestic remains of the Temple of Artemis at Sardis, Turkey, once a sacred site dedicated to one of the most revered goddesses in Greek mythology.

In the older pH๏τo, only two lone columns rise from an empty field, silent sentinels against a rugged mountain backdrop. Markings in red and green highlight the elevation and slight differences at the base of each pillar, offering insight into the terrain as it was more than a hundred years ago.

Fast forward to the present: the modern image reveals a transformed scene. More columns have been excavated, restored, and now form part of an impressive architectural array stretching across the valley. The mountains remain unchanged, yet the hands of archaeologists and historians have breathed life back into this ancient space, reviving the spirit of Artemis.

🕰️ These two images—separated by over a century—demonstrate the incredible power of archaeology: to retrieve the past from beneath layers of time and return its voice to the present.