A significant archaeological discovery has been made at Gordion, the ancient capital of the Phrygian Kingdom in Turkey, shedding new light on the funerary customs of the dynasty related to King Midas. Researchers have unearthed a well-preserved royal tomb dating back 2,800 years, located within a monumental burial mound close to the site’s museum. The tomb reveals a cremation burial, a banquet set with exquisite bronze vessels, and hints of elite Phrygian life in the 8th century BC. This announcement was made by Turkey’s Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, in conjunction with the Penn Museum and Professor C. Brian Rose, who leads the Gordion Excavation Project.
Gordion, situated approximately 60 miles southwest of modern Ankara, served as a focal point of the Phrygian kingdom in the early first millennium BC. This site is most famously connected to King Midas, a historic figure believed to have ruled around 740-700 BC. While no inscriptions have identified the tomb’s occupant directly, the wealth associated with the burial strongly points to a member of Midas’s royal lineage. The burial chamber was discovered under a large mound, known as Tumulus T-26, which was located using advanced remote sensing techniques.
Despite its roof collapsing, the integrity of the burial remained intact for nearly three millennia, free from looter interference. Notably, the presence of cremation contradicts previous assumptions that such practices began much later at Gordion, indicating an early adoption of diverse burial rites among Phrygian elites. Among the artifacts found were intricate bronze cauldrons and various vessels, which suggest that feasting played a crucial role in the burial rituals. This finding emphasizes the significance of high-quality craftsmanship and the centrality of feasting in Gordion’s elite burial practices.
The new tomb enhances Gordion’s legacy, joining a list of remarkable discoveries that include the oldest known wooden building and stunning stone mosaics. In 2023, Gordion gained recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, further highlighting its archaeological and historical significance.