Extraordinary ancient finds were recently unearthed in Ephesus, the Turkish city where Paul the Apostle once preached.

The discovery was announced by Anadolu Agency (AA), a state-run outlet in Ankara, on Dec. 12. Ephesus is also known as being one of the seven churches of Asia mentioned in the Book of Revelation.

The star of the excavation was a Roman-era marble bathtub, along with a fragment of a male statue's torso that was later reused as a paving stone.

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Archaeologist Serdar Aybek, speaking to AA, said the bathtub dates back to the first century A.D. Unlike Ephesus's large, public bath complexes, the one that was recently uncovered was likely "intended for domestic use."

"It is an unusual discovery because it is not something we encounter frequently," Aybek said. 

"We believe it belonged to the Terrace Houses and was used in the first century A.D.," he added. "We found it during work at the theater, and its size shows it was used in a house."

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The bathtub was found along the ancient Stadium Street. It likely belonged to Ephesus's Terrace Houses complex, where wealthy Roman families lived in lavish villas.

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The bathtub was carved with Greco Scritto marble — a regional variety with distinct black veins — and measured almost 5 feet long, 2.5 feet wide and 2 feet high, authorities said.

After being used by a high-income household, the bath was later repurposed as a fountain trough.

Aybek also described the discovery of the statue fragment, which dated between the first century B.C. and the first century A.D., as "completely unexpected."

The statue of the unidentified man was carved into multiple parts and attached together before it was later dismantled.

Archaeologists found it face-down — and said it was used as a paving stone in the roadway.

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The discoveries have come on the heels of many recent Asia Minor discoveries linked to early Christian history.

In October, a 1,500-year-old Christian floor mosaic was found in Urfa, a city traditionally regarded as the birthplace of Abraham.

In Laodicea — a city also mentioned in the Book of Revelation — the remains of a massive Roman council hall were unearthed this summer.

President Donald Trump warned early Friday that the U.S. would intervene if Iran started killing protesters. 

Writing on Truth Social, the president said if Iran shoots and "violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue." 

"We are locked and loaded and ready to go," Trump said. 

Trump’s warning comes as demonstrations triggered by Iran’s deteriorating economy expand beyond the capital and raise concerns about a potential heavy-handed crackdown by security forces. At least seven people — including protesters and members of Iran’s security services — have been reported killed during clashes, according to international reporting.

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Some of the most severe violence has been reported in western Iran, where videos circulating online appeared to show fires burning in streets and the sound of gunfire during nighttime protests. 

The unrest marks Iran’s most significant protests since 2022, when the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody sparked nationwide demonstrations. Officials say the current protests have not yet reached the same scale or intensity, but they have spread to multiple regions and include chants directed at Iran’s theocratic leadership.

Iran’s civilian government under reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian has signaled a willingness to engage with protesters, but the administration faces limited options as the country’s economy continues to deteriorate. Iran’s currency has sharply depreciated, with roughly 1.4 million rials now required to buy a single U.S. dollar, intensifying public anger and eroding confidence in the government.

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State television reported the arrests of several people accused of exploiting the unrest, including individuals it described as monarchists and others allegedly linked to Europe-based groups. Authorities also claimed security forces seized smuggled weapons during related operations, though details remain limited.

The demonstrations come amid heightened regional tensions following a 12-day conflict with Israel in June, during which the United States bombed Iranian nuclear sites. Iranian officials have since said the country is no longer enriching uranium, attempting to signal openness to renewed negotiations over its nuclear program to ease sanctions.

However, talks have yet to resume, as both Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have warned Tehran against reconstituting its nuclear capabilities — adding further pressure on Iran’s leadership as protests continue.