24.05.2026 12:40
In excavations carried out in the ancient city of Olympos in the Kumluca district of Antalya, a monumental tomb and sarcophagus, determined to belong to an aristocratic woman, were unearthed at a height of 10 meters. The sarcophagus is decorated with hunting scenes and figures of Nike and Eros; it is planned to assemble the 50-piece structure and open it to visitors.
In the excavations at Olympos, one of the most important cities of the Lycian civilization in the Kumluca district of Antalya, a monumental tomb belonging to an aristocratic woman has been unearthed.
Within the scope of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism's "Heritage for the Future Project," artifacts shedding light on the Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine periods are being uncovered in Olympos, where the excavation is taking place.
In the area known as the city's harbor region, a sarcophagus was found that is 10 meters high and features hunting scenes along with Nike and Eros figures, determined to belong to an aristocratic woman.
The sarcophagus, found with its lower part broken, is planned to be opened to visitors after its approximately 50 fragments are meticulously assembled by archaeologists with surgical precision.
"WE DISCOVERED IT WAS THE THIRD MONUMENTAL TOMB"
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gökçen Kurtuluş Öztaşkın, Head of the Olympos Ancient City Excavation and faculty member at Pamukkale University, told AA correspondent that they are continuing excavations in the monumental tombs area of the harbor.
Noting that the area contains tombs of important individuals, covered with side-by-side vaults and housing sarcophagi, Öztaşkın said, "Two monumental tombs were known in Olympos. During our work, we discovered it was the third monumental tomb. We conducted detailed studies in the area. We found a monumental tomb covered with vaults about 10 meters high. Inside the tomb, we uncovered a sarcophagus. Although some parts have survived to the present day in broken condition, we have begun their restoration."
Pointing out that there is an important hunting scene on the sarcophagus, Öztaşkın stated, "In the Roman period, hunting scenes appear as symbols of power and wealth. Nike and Eros figures, along with immortality motifs, are also depicted on it. It is a sarcophagus made of high-quality marble brought from Afyonkarahisar İscehisar. We have determined that this tomb is one of the examples belonging to the prominent aristocratic, wealthy families of Olympos."
"THE TWO SARCOPHAGI WE FOUND LAST YEAR WERE IN 722 PIECES"
Emphasizing that they work like a "puzzle" because the sarcophagi are found in fragmented, broken form, Öztaşkın expressed that restoring the finds and passing them on to the future is also part of their job.
Noting that the two sarcophagi found last year were in 722 pieces, Öztaşkın said, "We assembled these pieces one by one, placed them in their positions, and began exhibiting them. Similarly, this sarcophagus was divided into about 50 pieces. After we assemble and restore them in a short time, we will exhibit it."
Pointing out that the monumental tombs provide information about the prominent figures of that period, Öztaşkın noted that the tombs in the region belong to people who lived in Olympos and were buried in the area.
Explaining that each tomb contains stories belonging to Olympos, Öztaşkın evaluated, "Burial traditions tell us about life practices while also allowing tourists to connect with the region. These are important artifacts for us and interesting for visitors."