THE giant cliffs overlooking Turkey’s turquoise coast hold secrets older than time – and even a bizarre link to Santa Claus.
Located near Fethiye, these aren’t ordinary burial places, but the elaborate tombs of an ancient civilisation that thrived in this region over 2,000 years ago.
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Their unique location, carved into jagged cliff faces, is central to a fascinating and somewhat mysterious belief system.
The Lycians, known for their early form of democracy, left behind more than just political structures.
They were an ancient people who inhabited the Lycia region of southwestern Anatolia (modern-day Turkey) from at least the 2nd millennium BCE.
Their legacy now lives on in these spectacular “cities of the dead,” scattered along the coast and even found inside modern towns.
Some are grand, easily accessible sites like the Amyntas Rock Tombs near Fethiye.
But others can be hidden gems, and need the best explorers to uncover them.
Many of these tombs, dating back to the 4th century BC, boast impressive facades.
From simple, rectangular structures to elaborate, temple-like facades, each tomb was said to reflect the status and wealth of its deceased occupant.
Some have tall classical columns and intricate details, that although weathered by time, still give a glimpse of their golden era.
Simpler, older tombs are also present as humble holes carved directly into the rock.
However, the interior of all these tombs is surprisingly simple.
Despite the ornate entrances, the inner chambers are often bare, stripped clean by centuries of looting.
Only a simple stone platform remains, where the dead once lay.
One tomb, in particular, formed a unique link between the Lycians and Santa Claus.
In 2017, a 2,400-year-old rock tomb from the Lycian era was discovered during excavations on a property in the Demre area of Antalya.
The region is known as the home of Santa Claus and receives thousands of tourists each year.
While operating a bulldozer, a 40-year-old local discovered a rock over four meters underneath the ground.
However, he stopped the work before alerting the Demre Gendarmerie Forces after realising it was a historical artefact.
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Excavations were then carried out by three archaeologists and eight workers, who unearthed the Lycian rock tomb dating back to 4th century B.C.
The Lycians’ choice of location for their tombs – high on cliff faces – fuelled a local legend.
It’s said that they believed winged creatures, perhaps angels, would carry the souls of the dead to the afterlife.
Placing the tombs in elevated locations, overlooking the land and sea, may have been a way to facilitate this journey.
While there’s no concrete archaeological evidence to support this legend, the placement certainly adds to the mystique.
Experts like Dr. Catherine Draycott, an associate professor of archaeology at Durham University, offer alternative perspectives.
While acknowledging the prominence and visibility of the tombs, the reason behind their elevated placement remains a subject of speculation.
She told CNN: “We can’t say whether there is a link between Lycian beliefs and sky gods.
“The tombs certainly imply that there is a desire not to be buried below ground and a desire to be high up.
“But it’s not clear whether the people buried higher up had an advantage over others, although you could say that the status, would’ve been greater in terms of tomb competition, because they would’ve somehow had to get their masons up there.”
Regardless of the precise reasons, the Lycian rock tombs near Fethiye, and countless others along the coast, are a testament to this unique civilisation.
Who were the Lycians?
THE Lycians were an ancient people who inhabited the Lycia region of southwestern Anatolia (modern-day Turkey) from at least the 2nd millennium BCE until their assimilation into the Roman Empire.
Their history and culture are fascinating and somewhat enigmatic, leaving archaeologists and historians with ongoing debates about certain aspects.
Their origins are uncertain, with theories suggesting connections to various groups, including the Luwians (another Anatolian people) and possibly even the seafaring peoples of the Aegean.
They spoke the Lycian language, which is currently considered an isolate—meaning it doesn’t belong to any known language family.
Their coastal location made them skilled sailors and traders, interacting with various cultures across the Aegean and Mediterranean.
Their elaborate rock-cut tombs, carved into cliffsides, are a distinctive feature of their civilisation and a testament to their artistic skills and beliefs about the afterlife.
They were organised into independent city-states, sometimes forming leagues or alliances for mutual defense or trade.
Their political system seems to have been relatively decentralised compared to some of their neighbours.
They were also known for a unique feature of their laws; women could inherit property and hold political positions, unlike in many of their contemporary societies.
