This 2,700-Year-Old Tomb Discovered In Türkiye May Have Connections To King Midas’s Family

Archaeologists conducting excavations at the ancient site of Gordion, located near modern-day Ankara, Türkiye, have made a groundbreaking discovery: a remarkably well-preserved wooden burial chamber that is believed to belong to a high-ranking member of a Phrygian royal family, potentially a relative of King Midas. The site, designated as Tumulus 26 (T26), dates back to the 8th century BCE, a period known for its rich cultural and historical significance in Phrygian society.

The archaeological discovery was announced by Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, the Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism. The excavation, which led to this groundbreaking result, was spearheaded by Yücel Şenyurt of Haci Bayram Veli University and C Brian Rose, the esteemed Gordion Excavation Director and Curator-in-Charge of the Mediterranean Section at the Penn Museum.

The Burial Chamber

The burial chamber found in Ankara is notable not only for its excellent state of preservation but also for the insights it promises to provide into the funerary practices and social hierarchy of the time. The find is being hailed as the most significant archaeological discovery in the region in several decades, as it could shed light on the enigmatic Phrygian civilisation and its connections to surrounding cultures. Researchers are optimistic that further studies of T26 will yield valuable artefacts and information that enhance our understanding of this intriguing ancient society.

The Monarch

King Midas, the legendary Phrygian monarch, ruled a significant portion of Asia Minor during the early first millennium BCE. While he is famously immortalised in mythology for his extraordinary ability to transform anything he touched into gold, this archaeological discovery has provided valuable insights into the historical figure and his dynasty. The tomb's preservation offers a unique glimpse into the burial practices and material culture of the period, further illuminating our understanding of the historical Midas and the society he governed.

The Excavation Site

The burial chamber measures 3.1 by 2.8 m, and is located beneath an impressive 8-metre-high mound with a diameter of 60 m. The person interred in the tomb seems to have undergone cremation, a ritual that was not practiced in the area for another century following this time.

The excavations at Gordion, the ancient capital of the Phrygian kingdom and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was at the T26 tumulus. The burial site is situated near the famous Midas Mound, which is believed to be the final resting place of King Midas' father.

The T26 tumulus shares striking architectural and ornamental similarities with the Midas tumulus, suggesting a cultural connection between the two sites. The artefacts excavated from around the body include a variety of vessels that closely resemble those discovered in the Midas burial site, further indicating the shared traditions and practices of the Phrygians.

One of the most fascinating artefacts unearthed from the T26 tumulus is a beautifully crafted bronze jug, wrapped in linen, which highlights an exceptional instance of textile preservation for an object that dates back 2,700 years.

The burial represents the earliest known instance of cremation among the Phrygians, marking a shift in their funerary rituals from the more common practice of inhumation that characterised the era. This transformation in burial customs may reflect broader social or religious changes within Phrygian society, prompting further research into the beliefs and practices surrounding death in this ancient civilisation.

(With inputs from news reports)