Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Lycian Tomb found in Rhodiapolis, Turkey

The World Bulletin recently announced that a Lycian tomb complex was uncovered at the site of ancient Rhodiapolis, near Kumluca situated roughly between Finike and Antalya.

I like to keep up-to-date about sites that I visit, and Rhodiapolis has a very special place in my heart simply because of Opramoas of Rhodiapolis who was a well-known benefactor when the area was hit by a severe earthquake in 141 AD. All the details can be found in my previous article Finding Rhodiapolis from Finike.
[picture from the World Bulletin]
It is believed that archaeologists have found a Lycian cemetery complex dating around 300 BC that surrounded a larger necropolis in ancient times, and will serve as example for the elaborate style in Lycian Anatolia. Since members of the same family were buried on top of one another, the tombs needed to be expanded which meant in turn that extra levels had to be added. This explains the large two or three-story structures often made of brick and covered with arched roofs, which seem to be inspired by the Pisidians who lived north of Lycia.

Of course, this discovery is still in a very early stage and more excavations will be needed in the coming years, but sections of this site might be open to the public as from next year. Time to go back and have another look!

[Click here to see all the pictures of Rhodiapolis]

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