Turkey’s Minister of Culture and Tourism has revealed an exciting archaeological discovery: a recently found tomb dating back to the eighth century BC. In the old town of Gordion, known as the homeland of the legendary King Midas.
This significant finding was made by a team of archaeologists who excavated a royal burial ground, assumed to belong to a family member of Midas in this historic region southwest of Ankara, Turkey, reported Live Science.
Gravhaugen is remarkable to house a number of rare objects along with the cremated remains of an elite individual associated with the old Phrygian Kingdom.
“Based on the unique features of these artifacts, we estimate that the person connected in the burial chamber may well be a member of the royal family associated with Gordion and Midas,” said Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism, during a press conference on June 3. Reported. Reported Anadolu Ajansı.
Gordion served as the capital of the Phrygian Empire, which thrived from 1200 to 675 BC. During the eighth century BC the kingdom was originally ruled by Gordias, a figure famously attached to the Gordian knot – a complicated puzzle that Alexander the Great is said to have cut.
After Gordias, his son Mida’s control and gained fame from the myth that he could transform everything he touched into gold, a story that emphasizes the wealth and power of the phrygian dynasty.
The most significant tomb so far excavated on Gordion is called “Midas Mound.” This impressive burial site, among more than 120 Hauger in the area, was constructed around 740 BC.
It entromes a high status individual-potentially Gordias, Midas’ father-which was laid to rest in a beamed chest, surrounded by luxurious purple textiles and surrounded by exquisite bronze artifacts that reflect the arts of art of the time.
The newly discovered tomb is the 47th Haug, which is excavated by Gordion and boasts impressive dimensions: approx. 26 feet (8 meters) in height and 200 feet (60 meters) in diameter. Yücel şenyurt, Co-director of the Gordion excavation, reported that this Haug also contains the oldest cremation that has been discovered on site so far, giving invaluable insight into tomb practice and customs in this ancient civilization.
