Rock-cut tombs of ancient Lycia

Photo: a Lycian rock cut tomb, courtesy of Lycean Turkey

Before the Hellenistic cultures established themselves in southwestern Turkey, an older Anatolian people called the Lycians had built their civilization there.

The Lycians, who occupied portions of the coast of southwestern Turkey, are noted for their elaborate rock-cut limestone tombs. Over a thousand of these remarkable cultural artifacts are intact.

Unlike the Hellenistic cultures, the Lyceans did not place their dead outside the cities in necropoli. In contrast to those of neighbouring cultures, Lycian temple tombs were positioned in the midst of their cities, next to important elements like harbours and granaries.

In contemporary Fethiye, rock tombs remain and stone sarcophagi are still clearly visible in the middle of the city. Lycian carved tombs can also be seen in nearby Dalyan, Myra (Kale), and Pinara.

Pillar tombs were erected in Xanthos, a very ancient capital of Lycia, dating back to the 8th century BCE and possibly earlier. Xanthos-Letoon is a UNESCO World Heritage site.