2,800-year-old grave of King Midas’s relative found with over 100 artifacts
At the legendary city of Gordion, once the seat of King Midas’s dynasty, archaeologists have unearthed a significant find: a royal tomb. This discovery is being hailed as one of the most important in the region in recent years.
Last week, Türkiye’s Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, announced onsite that a well-preserved wooden burial chamber was discovered at the renowned archaeological site, which was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2023.
The ancient city of Gordion achieved immortal status as the capital of Phrygia, where the mythical King Midas ruled. He is forever remembered for his magical touch, which turned everything into gold.
While the owner of the T26 tumulus remains unknown, archaeologists note its striking similarities and proximity to the Midas Mound, where King Midas’s father was laid to rest. This suggests the tomb could have belonged to a member of the royal dynasty.
Notably, the wooden chamber, packed with over 100 artifacts, marks the first known case of cremation among the Phrygians. This detail imbues the new tomb with increased significance, indicating a potential shift in their funerary practices.
Minister Ersoy attributed the grave’s discovery to “the golden age of archaeology” in Türkiye, as numerous efforts are currently underway across the country to uncover its hidden treasures.
First cremation burial from the Phrygians, possibly Midas’s cousin
Under the direction of Süleyman Yücel Şenyurt of Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University, a four-month excavation aimed to glean further insights into Phrygian customs and daily life, The Greek Reporter explained . This elite tomb, with its possible royal ties, was deemed an “extraordinary” discovery.
According to Turkiye Today, a team of 15 workers and six archaeologists meticulously worked in a 39.37 x 39.37-foot grid. Beneath layers of stone and soil, the tomb of an unknown royal family member came to light. It measured approximately 10 x 9.18 feet and lay buried within a mound 26.25 feet high and nearly 197 feet in diameter.
Although the wooden architecture may have deteriorated over 2,000 years, archaeologists recovered an impressive array of artifacts. Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy announced on X that the team uncovered 88 bronze and iron artifacts, including cauldrons, incense burners, and ceremonial vessels. Archaeology News reported a total of 100 items were found, with 47 of them now restored and on display at the Gordion Museum.
Heritage Daily highlighted a bronze jug wrapped in linen as the most notable find, remarkably surviving the test of time. Ersoy added that not only are most artifacts in good condition, but they are also “among the most important findings since Midas Tumulus.” He further stated that they “provide unique clues about the burial and traditions and social structure of the Phrygians.” This particular discovery is also significant as it represents the first cremation burial within that dynasty.
The Golden Age of Turkish archaeology continues
The arrangement of vessels surrounding the cremated remains mirrored those in King Midas’s father’s grave, further strengthening archaeologists’ belief that this “extraordinary” tomb indeed belonged to an esteemed member of the royal family, as per Turkiye Today . “This could very well be a relative of Midas.”
Some bronze vessels even date to the mid-8th century BCE, around the time Midas built the grave for his father. The reason for this individual’s cremation remains unknown, making the grave all the more intriguing.
The “Golden Age of Turkish Archaeology ” has continued to yield significant results, with thousands of new archaeological finds in 2024 alone.
The grave of King Midas’s relative, though unconfirmed, has already offered new insights into the customs and traditions of this dynasty, which began with a humble farmer, Midas’s father.
Gordion, Türkiye stands as one of the few archaeological sites globally with continuous habitation dating back to the Early Bronze Age.
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