# LLMs.txt - Sitemap for AI content discovery # Learn more:https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/ai-sitemap/ # Phrygian Monuments > Monuments of Phrygia with images and brief information. --- ## Pages - [Version History](https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/version-history/): Version Date Changes 2. 0 2025-01-12 The site layout is converted to WordPress. Resolutions increased for most images, and less... - [Monumental Old Phrygian Inscriptions](https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/phrygian-inscriptions/): A list of monumental Old Phrygian inscriptions. They are described together with their drawings, photos, transliterations, and, if available, suggested translations. - [General Information about Phrygian Monuments](https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/general-information/): A brief information about Phrygian shrines, rock monuments, rock tombs, fortresses (kales), and Phrygian inscriptions. - [Home](https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/): A list of ancient Phrygian monuments with images and brief information. Facades, Altars (stepped monuments), niches, rock-cut tombs, and Phrygian inscriptions. ## Posts - [Kocagür Phrygian Inscription](https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/kocagur/): Kocagür inscription HP-02 - [Daskyleion Phrygian Inscriptions](https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/daskyleion/): Inscription B-06:The marble funerary stele with the inscription was found in Daskyleion in a tumulus (Kösemtuğ) dating from the 4th... - [Vezirhan Phrygian Inscription](https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/vezirhan/): Vezirhan Phrygian Inscription B-05 - [Ankara](https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/ankara/): Phrygian monuments found in Ankara. - [Alacahöyük Phrygian Inscriptions](https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/alacahoyuk/): Old Phrygian inscriptions found in Alacahöyük - [Fıranlar Phrygian Inscription](https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/firanlar/): Inscription B-03It is on a rectangular block found in 1976 reused as a building material in the Fıranlar village of... - [Gerede Phrygian Inscription](https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/gerede/): Old Phrygian Inscription B-02 found in Gerede - [Seyitömer Phrygian Inscription](https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/seyitomer/): Old Phrygian inscription W-12 found in Seyitömer - [Üyücek Phrygian Inscription](https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/uyucek/): Old Phrygian inscription B-04 found in Üyücek - [Deliklitaş](https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/deliklitas/): Deliklitaş shaft monument - Phrygian Facade - [Soğukçam (Germanos)](https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/sogukcam/): Soğukçam (Germanos) Phrygian rock niche - [Germanos (Soğukçam) Phrygian Inscriptions](https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/germanos-inscriptions/): Inscription B-01It is below the niche to the right, and consists of 9 lines. All the lines are written sinistroverse.... - [Kalehisar (Karahisar)](https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/kalehisar/): Kalehisar (Karahisar) Phrygian stepped altar - [Kalehisar (Karahisar) Phrygian Inscription](https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/kalehisar-inscription/): Kalehisar (Karahisar) Old Phrygian Inscription P-05 - [Boğazkale (Boğazköy)](https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/bogazkale/): Mother Goddess Matar statue found in Boğazkale - [Kerkenes](https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/kerkenes/): Kerkenes Phrygian settlement in Yozgat - [Kerkenes Phrygian Inscription](https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/kerkenes-inscription/): Old Phrygian inscription K-01 from Kerkenes - [Faharet Çeşme Twin Idol](https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/faharet/): Phrygian twin idol of Faharet Çeşme - [Idol of Sincan](https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/sincan/): Phrygian twin idol from Sincan - [Dümrek Altars](https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/dumrek/): Phrygian stepped altars of Dümrek - [Gordion (Yassıhöyük)](https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/gordion/): The city of Gordion, capital of the Phrygian Kingdom, is located 94 km west of Ankara, next to Yassıhöyük village,... - [Phrygian Inscriptions of Gordion](https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/gordion-inscriptions/): The Phrygian capital city Gordion yielded the richest finds in terms of Old Phrygian inscriptions thanks to the excavations conducted... - [Karacakaya (Gelinkız) Rock Tomb](https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/karacakaya/): Karacakaya (Gelinkız) Phrygian rock-cut tomb - [Zey Köyü](https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/zeykoyu/): Zey village is located on a rocky slope on the northern skirts of the Sivrihisar Mountains. About 1 km south... - [Kuzören (Tavuk Pınarı)](https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/kuzoren/): Phrygian rock facade in Kuzören - [Tekören](https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/tekoren/): It is a stepped altar located on the rocky area about 150 m northeast of Tekören village in Sivrihisar township... - [Balkayası (Böğürtlen)](https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/balkayasi/): It is a small façade on a rock called Balkayası near the village of Böğürtlen, 7 km north of Sivrihisar,... - [Dorylaion (Şarhöyük) Phrygian Inscriptions](https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/dorylaion/): Dorylaion is an ancient Phrygian settlement that remains in the Eskişehir city center today. Almost all of the inscriptions found... - [Gümüşbel Idol](https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/gumusbel/): It was found in 2019 at the southeastern slopes of a mound named Eski Cami, about 1 km southeast of... - [Gümüşbel Phrygian Inscription](https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/gumusbel-inscription/): Inscription W-14It is a 4-line Old Phrygian inscription. The first line of the inscription is written sinistroverse (right to left)... - [Keskaya (Çatalkaya)](https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/keskaya/): There are two small façades and one idol in Keskaya (Çatalkaya), a Phrygian settlement, 1. 5 km west of the... - [Deliktaş](https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/deliktas/): It is a small Phrygian fortress about 1. 5 km north of the İnlice locality of Ovacık village in Kütahya.... - [Sülün](https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/sulun/): The small façade with a pitched roof and a triangular pediment is found near the Sülün town of Afyonkarahisar province.... - [Fındık Valley and Asar Kale](https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/findik/): Fındık is a large Phrygian settlement located near Fındık village about 25 km northeast of Kütahya. - [Alanyurt Phrygian Inscription](https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/alanyurt/): Inscription MPhr-01 (Brixhe W-11)The white marble funerary stele with an 8-line Phrygian inscription was found by T. Drew-Bear in a field... - [Burmeç](https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/burmec/): Burmeç rock façade is in a location called Çiçeklikonak Rocks, 2. 6 km north of Bayramaliler village in İhsaniye district... - [Berberini Phrygian Inscription](https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/berberini-inscription/): W-02 Old Phrygian inscription on Berberini facade - [Phrygian Fortresses of Yazılıkaya Valley](https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/yazilikaya/): Akpara, Gökgöz, Pişmiş, Gökgöz and Midas City are the Phrygian fortresses in Yazılıkaya valley - [Döğer Valley](https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/doger/): Döğer Valley, located 40 km north of Afyonkarahisar and 10 km northwest of Göynüş Valley, is a residential area used... - [Karababa Valley](https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/karababa/): It lies parallel to Göynüş Valley in the southeast. There are two Phrygian rock monuments discovered in the valley: a... - [Alaçan Rock Idol](https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/alacan/): Alaçan Phrygian Rock Idol - [Kümbet Valley](https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/kumbet/): Kümbet Valley is located approximately 70 km south of Eskişehir and 8 km west of Midas City and stretches for... - [Menekşe Kayalar Phrygian Inscriptions](https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/menekse-inscriptions/): Old Phrygian inscriptions W-11 and W-13 in Menekşe Kayalar - [Karkamış Phrygian Inscription](https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/karkamis/): Old Phrygian inscription HP-01 from Karkamış - [Midas Monument Inscriptions (M-01) ](https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/m01/): Old Phrygian Inscriptions M-01 on Midas Monument in Yazılıkaya - [Inscription M-02 on King's Road](https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/m02/): Old Phrygian Inscriptions M-02 on the King's Road in Yazılıkaya - [Inscription M-03](https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/m03/): Old Phrygian inscription M-03 on the stepped altar 27 in Midas City - [Inscription M-04 on the Throne Monument](https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/m04/): Old Phrygian inscription M-04 on the altar 28 in Midas City - [Inscription M-05](https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/m05/): Old Phrygian inscription M-05 on the broken monument in Midas City - [Inscription M-06](https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/m06/): Old Phrygian inscription M-06 on stepped altar 14 in Midas City - [Inscription M-07](https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/m07/): Old Phrygian inscription M-07 in Midas City - [Inscription M-08](https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/m08/): Old Phrygian inscription M-08 in Midas City - [Inscription M-09](https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/m09/): Old Phrygian inscription M-09 in Midas City - [Inscription M-10](https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/m10/): Old Phrygian inscription M-10 in Midas City - [Inscription M-11](https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/m11/): Old Phrygian inscription M-11 in Midas City - [Areyastis Phrygian Inscriptions](https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/areyastis-inscriptions/): Inscription W-01aIt consists of three lines surrounding the triangular pediment. The lower horizontal line (I), including also the three letters that... - [Göynüş Valley Phrygian Inscriptions](https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/goynus-inscriptions/): Old Phrygian inscriptions in Göynüş Valley - [Çepni Phrygian Inscriptions](https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/cepni/): Three Old Phrygian inscriptions were found in 1982 near the Çepni village of Ayfonkarahisar by Thomas Drew-Bear on three separate... - [Fındık Valley Phrygian Inscriptions](https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/findik-inscriptions/): Old Phrygian inscriptions W-06 and W07 in Fındık valley - [Tyana (Kemerhisar) Phrygian Inscriptions](https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/tyana/): Old Phrygian inscriptions T-01, T-02, and T-03 from Tyana (Kemerhisar) - [Göynüş (former Köhnüş) Valley](https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/goynus/): Göynüş Valley, full of volcanic tuff rocks, extends in the north-south direction near Kayıhan town in the district of İhsaniye... - [Doğanlı Valley](https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/doganli/): Doğanlı Kale, Deveboynu Kale and Hamamkaya Rock Tomb - [Demirli - Menekşe Kayalar](https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/demirli/): Façade and NicheIt is a small façade carved on a pointy rock, 200 m northeast of the Menekşe Kayalar (Violet... - [Midas City](https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/midascity/): Midas City Kale in Phrygian Highlands - [Aslankaya Phrygian Inscription](https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/aslankaya-inscription/): Old Phrygian Inscription W-03 on Aslankaya Monument - [Gökçegüney (Tonra)](https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/gokceguney/): Gökçegüney (Tonra Patlak) Phrygian rock facade - [Dübecik Kale](https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/dubecik/): Dübecik Kale is a small Phrygian outpost in the Phrygian Highlands. - [Areyastis (Arezastis)](https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/areyastis/): Areyastis (or Arezastis) Monument is a Phrygian rock facade. - [Kırkinler](https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/kirkinler/): The Phrygian rock niche was discovered in the Kırkinler locality, near the Seydiler village of İscehisar town. It is located... - [Büyük Kapıkaya](https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/buyukkapikaya/): Büyük Kapıkaya (Big Gaterock) Monument is a Phrygian façade located 6 km southeast of Döğer town in Afyonkarahisar and 1.... - [Kilise Façade](https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/kilise/): Kilise façade monument is located on the rocky hill overlooking Porsuk Stream, 2. 8 km west of Yenisofça village, and... - [Bahşayiş](https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/bahsayis/): Bahşayiş Monument is a Phrygian façade located on the rocky slope on the west bank of the Kocadere stream, 1... - [Küçük Kapıkaya](https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/kucukkapikaya/): Küçük Kapıkaya is a Phrygian rock façade - [Aslankaya](https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/aslankaya/): Aslankaya rock façade is a Phrygian shrine monument - [Kumcaboğaz Kapıkaya](https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/kumcabogaz/): Kumcaboğaz Kapıkaya Phrygian Monument --- # # Detailed Content ## Pages ### Version History - Published: 2024-05-02 - Modified: 2025-02-06 - URL: https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/version-history/ VersionDateChanges2. 02025-01-12The site layout is converted to WordPress. Resolutions increased for most images, and less disturbing watermarks are added. 1. 142024‑11‑24W03 Aslankaya inscription page is updated with a new reading proposal. 1. 132024-10-28Added new images in Ankara, Faharet Çeşme, and Tyana Inscriptions pages. Some image updates in Boğazkale, Dümrek, and Gordion Inscriptions pages. 1. 122024-02-13Added a new inscription (G-12) in the Gordion Inscriptions page. 1. 112023-11-27Added new monuments (A12, A13, A24a, A34, A35, A37, A38) in the Midas City page. Added catalog numbers of Dietrich Berndt for altars/idols of Midas City. Added new images for Göynüş Altar 1, Menekşe Kayalar Altar 2, and Keskaya Idol. 1. 102023-05-11A gallery-style image viewer is added for all pages. Some image resolutions have been increased in various pages. Added images (mostly drawings) in Kerkenes, Midas City, Göynüş, Fındık, Ankara, Bahşayiş, Aslankaya, Değirmen Yeri, and Boğazkale. 1. 082022-05-28Added and replaced images in Gordion, Ankara, and Alacahöyük. 1. 072022-05-06Added new images in Deliklitaş, Daskyleion, and Berberini. 1. 062021-10-26Added new images for Vezirhan Inscription. 1. 052021-10-05Added new images in Deliktaş, Dübecik, Dümrek, Gordion, Göynüş A3, Maltaş, Nallıkaya, Kalehisar, Kerkenes, Kırkinler, and Faharet Çeşme. Altars A4, A5, A6, and A7 in Dümrek are renumbered in accordance with the numbering of Tüfekçi-Sivas. Some info updates in Dümrek, Faharet Çeşme, Kırkinler, and Maltaş. 1. 042021-05-08Tumulus MM is added in Gordion page. J. H. Haynes photographs are added in Aslankaya, Areyastis, and Doğanlı pages. 1. 032021-03-30Added new inscription pages in the Inscription List Page and updated their locations on the main page map. Added a new image of the triple idol in Göynüş. 1. 022021-01-23Inscription pages are created with a list page. Added A16 under Midas City. Added a niche under Demirli. Added new images for Niche 1 and Altar 28 in Midas City, Maltaş, Bahşayiş, and Kerkenes. Minor info updates on various pages. 1. 012021-01-01Added a new site: Alaçan. --- ### Monumental Old Phrygian Inscriptions > A list of monumental Old Phrygian inscriptions. They are described together with their drawings, photos, transliterations, and, if available, suggested translations. - Published: 2024-04-27 - Modified: 2025-02-06 - URL: https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/phrygian-inscriptions/ Below is a list of monumental Old Phrygian (Paleo Phrygian) inscriptions. The given classification numbers follow Obrador-Cursach's Lexicon of the Phrygian Inscriptions. The inscriptions are described together with their drawings, transliterations, and, if available, suggested translations. Most of the transliterations and translations are based on the Lexicon of the Phrygian Inscriptions. The list includes almost all of the inscriptions written on rock and detached stone monuments but does not include those written on smaller items such as sherds, metalware, seals, etc. M-01 Midas Monument Inscriptions M-02 The Inscription on the King's Road in Midas City M-03 The Inscription on the Altar 27 in Midas City M-04 The Inscription on the Altar 28 (Throne Monument) in Midas City M-05 The Inscription on the Broken Monument in Midas City M-06 The Inscription on the Altar 14 in Midas City M-07 inscription (Midas City) M-08 inscription (Midas City) M-09 inscription (Midas City) M-10 inscription (Midas City) M-11 inscription (Midas City) W-01 Areyastis Monument Inscriptions W-02 Berberini Monument Inscription W-03 Aslankaya Monument Inscription W-04 & W-05 Göynüş Valley Inscriptions W-06 & W-07 Fındık Valley Inscriptions W-08 to W-10 Çepni Inscriptions W-11 & W-13 inscriptions in Menekşe Kayalar W-12 Seyitömer Inscription W-14 Gümüşbel Inscription B-01 & B-08 Germanos (Soğukçam) Inscriptions B-02 Gerede Inscription B-03 Fıranlar Inscription B-04 Üyücek Inscription B-05 Vezirhan Inscription B-06 & B-07 Daskyleion Inscriptions G-01 to G-12 & C-01 Gordion Inscriptions P-01 to P-05 Alacahöyük Inscriptions P-06 Kalehisar Inscription T-01 to T-03 Tyana (Kemerhisar) Inscriptions NW-01 & NW-02 Dorylaion (Şarhöyük) Inscriptions K-01 Kerkenes Inscription... --- ### General Information about Phrygian Monuments > A brief information about Phrygian shrines, rock monuments, rock tombs, fortresses (kales), and Phrygian inscriptions. - Published: 2022-05-10 - Modified: 2025-02-06 - URL: https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/general-information/ The majority of the Phrygian monuments presented here are rock structures built for religious and cultic purposes. They were likely created to honor deities, especially the Phrygian mother goddess Matar, and to present votive offerings. Most of these monuments face eastward and can be categorized into three main groups: façades, niches, and altars/idols. Façades: Typically carved on leveled surfaces of steep rocks, façades replicate the front faces of Phrygian houses (megarons), which were predominantly wooden structures. They symbolize the temple dedicated to goddesses, mainly Matar, showcasing pitched roofs and rectangular plans. The lower part of the façade often features a niche that resembles an entrance door and may contain a statue or relief of a goddess. Depending on their size, façades can be classified as large or small. Niches: These are similar to the niches found in façades but consist solely of a niche without any surrounding structure. They appear as shallow, oval, or rectangular cavities carved into steep rock faces, usually at accessible heights. Most niches have a simple frame carved in low relief. Altars and Idols: These three-dimensional cult structures, carved from the bedrock, served worship and sacrificial purposes. Generally located on the tops or edges of accessible rock formations, they feature low reliefs of one or two (rarely three) idols, characterized by rounded heads and rectangular bodies, symbolizing gods or goddesses. Some altars have a ‘seat’-shaped top instead of idols, referred to as ‘stylized idols’ or ‘thrones’ by various researchers. Many include steps leading to the idol(s) or... --- ### Home > A list of ancient Phrygian monuments with images and brief information. Facades, Altars (stepped monuments), niches, rock-cut tombs, and Phrygian inscriptions. - Published: 2021-05-30 - Modified: 2025-02-06 - URL: https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/ Large FaçadesAreyastis - Aslankaya - Bahşayiş - Burmeç - Değirmen Yeri(+) - Deliklitaş - Maltaş - Midas City Small FaçadesBalkayası - Berberini - Büyük Kapıkaya - Demirli - Döğer - Fındık - Gökçegüney(+) - Kes Kaya - Kilise - Kumcaboğaz(+) - Kuzören - Küçük Kapıkaya - Midas City - Sülün Altars/IdolsAlaçan - Büyük Kapıkaya - Menekşe Kayalar - Nallıkaya(+) - Dümrek - Faharet Çeşme(*) - Fındık - Göynüş - Gümüşbel(*) - Hasırcı Çiftliği - Kalehisar - Karababa(+) - Kumcaboğaz - Midas City - Sincan(*) - Tekören - Zey Köyü NichesDeliktaş - Döğer - Fındık - Göynüş - Pişmiş Kale - Soğukçam - Midas City - Kırkinler Fortresses (Kales)Akpara Kale - Avdalaz Kale - Ballık Kale - Deliktaş - Demirkapı Kale - Demirli Kale - Deveboynu Kale - Doğanlı Kale - Doğuluşah Kale - Döğer Asar Kale - Dübecik Kale - Fındık Asar Kale - Gökgöz Kale - Köhnüş Kale - Kırkmerdiven Kale - Kocabaş Kale - Kümbet Asar Kale - Nallıkaya - Pişmiş Kale - Üçler Kayası - Yapıldak Asar Kale Rock‑Cut TombsSolon Tomb - Aslantaş - Deliklikaya - Hamamkaya - Karacakaya Tomb - Midas City / West Tomb - Midas City / Pyramid Tomb - Midas City / Triclinium Tomb - Yapıldak - Yılantaş - Zey Köyü * Monument is not at the original site. + Destroyed, buried, or missing. The Phrygian Monuments page is a digital humanities project aiming to provide visual references to the monuments of Phrygians, one of the Anatolian civilizations. The locations listed below are... --- ## Posts ### Kocagür Phrygian Inscription > Kocagür inscription HP-02 - Published: 2025-01-16 - Modified: 2025-02-05 - URL: https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/kocagur/ - Categories: Phrygian Inscriptions Inscription HP-02:A 3-line Old Phrygian inscription on a stone block was found in 2011 in the center of Kocagür village, which is 14 km from the ancient city of Parion on the south coast of the Marmara Sea. It is so far the westernmost found Old Phrygian inscription. The left and upper parts of the stone are broken. The inscription is neatly written in three lines as boustrophedon. Although the Old Phrygian alphabet was used, it is not certain that the writing is Phrygian.            ←     tanarị→     ḷiake←     edaie References:Brixhe, C. & Keleş, V. 2011. ‘Une Inscription Paléo-Phrygien dans le région de Parion? ’, Kadmos, 50, 151-160Obrador-Cursach, B. 2018.  Lexicon of the Phrygian Inscriptions, Thesis, Barcelona. Images:C. Brixhe & V. Keleş, 2011 --- ### Daskyleion Phrygian Inscriptions - Published: 2025-01-15 - Modified: 2025-02-05 - URL: https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/daskyleion/ - Categories: Phrygian Inscriptions Inscription B-06:The marble funerary stele with the inscription was found in Daskyleion in a tumulus (Kösemtuğ) dating from the 4th century. It was reused as the door threshold of the burial chamber. An unknown section of the stele is cut off at the top, and a round hole was dug to accommodate the door pivot. There is a 4-line Old Phrygian inscription that is partially visible due to this damage. It is estimated that the inscription dates to the first half of the 6th century BCE. All lines are written sinistroverse. The stone is currently in the Bursa Archaeology Museum. sṭaḷ? ake : 𐊁̣ekṃ? ẹṣkeỵạ? yọ? ḍẹṣ : ẹvent noktoy : ẹṃetẹtariyoisy : yos tumoy : 𐊁ekmatinatonkeyen Inscription B-07The 2-meter-high marble funerary stele was found in 1997 in Daskyleion. On the upper part is a relief depicting a funeral banquet scene, and below is a 3-line Old Phrygian inscription. The beginings and ends of the lines at the edges are quite worn out. All lines are written sinistroverse. It is also called the Manes Stele due to the grave owner's name mentioned in the inscription. The stele is exhibited in the Bandırma Archeology Museum. gat : s⸗manes iyungidas manitos apelev porniyoy esṭes va ḳnais manuka odeketoy meros ke manes is yos tivn ke devụṇ k umnotan ordoineten, me kos aniva𐊵eti s⸗maniṇ 'This (is) Manes (the son) of Iyungida, the grandson of Manes... his wife Manukka ... and Manes... Whoever ... of ... and the gods? ... Let nobody do harm... --- ### Vezirhan Phrygian Inscription > Vezirhan Phrygian Inscription B-05 - Published: 2025-01-15 - Modified: 2025-02-05 - URL: https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/vezirhan/ - Categories: Phrygian Inscriptions Inscription B-05:It is an inscription on a Greco-Persian-style limestone stele found in two pieces in the Sangarios valley near the Vezirhan district of Bilecik. The 1. 5-meter-high stele has three separate reliefs on the upper part. At the top is the relief of a female bust with open arms on both sides. There is a bird on each arm and a lion below each arm. On account of these animals, it is believed that the relief represents the mother goddess Matar. Below this is the relief of a dining scene depicting standing and sitting people. The third relief shows a horse rider in a boar hunt. Below the reliefs there is a 13-line Old Phrygian inscription. This text is surrounded by a more carelessly engraved 7-line Greek inscription, thought to have been added afterwards. All lines of the Old Phrygian inscription are written sinistroverse, while the Greek inscription is dextroverse. It is dated to the 5th century BCE. The stele is in the Istanbul Archaeology Museum.   sin⸗t imenạn kạliyạ ti tedạtedekmmẹạṣ? ḍ? ụ? ṃịḍiben edạtoy dạkerạn ạtriyạs dạvoi okiṃạḳịṿạvrekạn vitạrạn artimitoṣ krạniyạs pạntạ vebrạṣ ạdun p? os key estạt pator. ? ikeẹ ạndạti vạy niptiyạy dạker kạrạtu enpsạtus mekạạsiyạ. . ? nidus ạd kạliyay kạrạtụ pạnạtu ạndo popostois kḷạṇịṿkelmis ke umniṣet evrạduṣ dạḳerạiṣ key iverais aṭikrạiu yos niy ạrt sin⸗t imenạn kạkạ oskạvos kạkeykạn dedạsitiy tubetiv oy ṇẹvos derạliv mekạṣ keykoṿis ạbretoy nun ibey neṿotạn ṇiptiyan sirun mireyun†iv† imun inmeney asenan daket torvetun 𐊁irạy ạyniy oytubnuv nevos, me deritoy... --- ### Ankara > Phrygian monuments found in Ankara. - Published: 2025-01-15 - Modified: 2025-02-05 - URL: https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/ankara/ - Categories: Phrygian Monuments Ancient writer Pausanias, who lived in the 2nd century BCE, claims that the city of Ankara was founded by the Phrygian King Midas. Although the identity of Midas mentioned here is controversial, archaeological research in Ankara supports that the city was founded during the Phrygian period. In terms of the number of tumuli found, Ankara is the second largest Phrygian settlement after Gordion. Thus, it must have been one of the most important Phrygian cities. A great majority of the orthostats and steles shown on this page were found in the immediate vicinity of these tumuli and likely to have been a part of the structures related to the tumuli. All finds are in the Anatolian Civilizations Museum in Ankara. Kalaba LionIt was discovered in 1860 by G. Perrot at a fountain in the village of Kalaba, about 3 kilometers north of Ankara. The slab was reused along with other old dressed blocks to build the fountain. Etimesgut LionIt was discovered in 1898 by J. W. Crowfoot and J. G. Anderson at the railroad station of Paşa Çiftligi (today Etimesgut), 18 kilometers west of Ankara. The relief was found in the deserted village along with fragments of late classical sarcophagi. There are four clamp holes at the top. Yalıncak LionThis relief was discovered in 1898 by J. G. Anderson and J. W. Crowfoot in Yalıncak village, 10 km southwest of Ankara. The slab was reused in a fountain at the village and was removed from the fountain in 1941. There... --- ### Alacahöyük Phrygian Inscriptions > Old Phrygian inscriptions found in Alacahöyük - Published: 2025-01-15 - Modified: 2025-02-05 - URL: https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/alacahoyuk/ - Categories: Phrygian Inscriptions Alacahöyük, better known for the presence of the Hittites, is also a Phrygian settlement. The Old Phrygian inscriptions found in this area were engraved on block stones (P-01, P-02, P-04), a slab (P-03), a lion sculpture (P-05), and a rock-altar (P-06, see Kalehisar). Most of the inscriptions contains an Assyrian name Kanutî. All of them are tentatively dated to the Middle Phrygian period. Inscription P-01It is a single-line sinistroverse Old Phrygian inscription written on a large stone block that has been found in a house wall in Alacahöyük village during Hamilton's journey in 1842. The fate of the stone is unknown. There is only a drawing of the inscription done by Hamilton. ← euovo iman Inscription P-02It is a single-line sinistroverse Old Phrygian inscription inscribed on two consecutive sides of a granite stone block. It was found in a house wall in Alacahöyük. It is currently in the Anatolian Civilizations Museum in Ankara. ←   sest bug̣nos va-←   sos kanutii? evanoṣ? ‘... of Vasos (the grandson) of Kanutî. ’ Inscription P-03It was found together with P-04 in a house wall in Alacahöyük in 1893 by E. Chantre. There is a three-line boustrophedon inscription on the carved face of the andesite slab. It is currently in the Anatolian Civilizations Museum in Ankara. ←   vasous iman mekas→   ḳanutieivạịs←   deṿọs ke meḳạs ‘Vasos Iman the great (the son) of Kanutî and the great god. ’ Inscription P-04It was found in 1893 together with P-03 in a house wall in Alacahöyük by E. Chantre. There are inscriptions on three faces of... --- ### Fıranlar Phrygian Inscription - Published: 2025-01-15 - Modified: 2025-02-05 - URL: https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/firanlar/ - Categories: Phrygian Inscriptions Inscription B-03It is on a rectangular block found in 1976 reused as a building material in the Fıranlar village of Bilecik Pazaryeri. On the narrow front side are the two lines of a dextroverse writing separated by a horizontal line. The lower line continues to the right side of the block. It is thought that the inscription might have continued on a neighboring stone.    ẹṣk... a a. . evtevey aỵ yosyos yenvṛạ | eti⸗t evtevey me. oun laked? ọ | References:Brixhe, C. & M. Lejeune. 1984.  Corpus des inscriptions paléo-phrygiennes, Paris. Neumann, G. 1981. 'Die Altphrygische Inschrift von Firanlar Köyü', Kadmos 20, 143-149. Obrador-Cursach, B. 2018.  Lexicon of the Phrygian Inscriptions, Thesis, Barcelona. Image Sources:G. Neumann, 1981. C. Brixhe & M. Lejeune, 1984. --- ### Gerede Phrygian Inscription > Old Phrygian Inscription B-02 found in Gerede - Published: 2025-01-15 - Modified: 2025-02-05 - URL: https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/gerede/ - Categories: Phrygian Inscriptions Inscription B-02The inscription is on a Greco-Persian style funerary stele found near Birinciafşar village (old name is Afşarıevvel) of Gerede in the province of Bolu. There is a relief of a mounted rider on the stele, and just next to the relief is the inscription that is written vertically and dextroverse. The stele is in the Istanbul Archaeology Museum. . u? teạnom? tṣ. . p? op? . References:Brixhe, C. & M. Lejeune. 1984.  Corpus des inscriptions paléo-phrygiennes, Paris. Obrador-Cursach, B. 2018.  Lexicon of the Phrygian Inscriptions, Thesis, Barcelona. --- ### Seyitömer Phrygian Inscription > Old Phrygian inscription W-12 found in Seyitömer - Published: 2025-01-15 - Modified: 2025-02-05 - URL: https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/seyitomer/ - Categories: Phrygian Inscriptions Inscription W-12The inscription is on a stone slab that was found in 2010 during the excavations in Seyitömer Höyük near Kütahya. The two-line inscription is written sinistroverse. Dated to the early 4th century BCE.   ← sitoros aros← ispas References:Bilgen A. N. , C. Brixhe & G. Coşkun. 2011. 'Un Nouveau site épigraphique Paléo-Phrygienn: Seyitömer Höyük', Kadmos 50, 141-150. Obrador-Cursach, B. 2018.  Lexicon of the Phrygian Inscriptions, Thesis, Barcelona. --- ### Üyücek Phrygian Inscription > Old Phrygian inscription B-04 found in Üyücek - Published: 2025-01-15 - Modified: 2025-02-05 - URL: https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/uyucek/ - Categories: Phrygian Inscriptions Inscription B-04The marble block with an inscription was found in 1926 in the village of Üyücek near Tavşanlı, Kütahya. The slab was reused in a wall of a village house. There are rough engravings of a lion and two animals (possibly deer) on the upper part of the stone and a 7-line Old Phrygian inscription on the lower part. All the lines are written sinistroverse. The first two lines are almost illegible, and the parts of the other lines, particularly at the edges of the stone, are quite worn. Today the whereabouts of the stone is unknown. There is only a photo and a paper squeeze, which were taken by Cox and Cameron, who found the stone.                  ạ/ḍi? knạ/ḍeạ/ḍḷami? b? aṿ? ạymokveṣ ⋅ amp? iạ? ṃ? ọp? tov? a𐊁iy ⋅ ạ? ẹ? lavọy ⋅ ueeḍạviy p? is? ⋅ ạṇerneueyṿ? ạ. oe? ạp. eạrvi? s? ⋅? bạto? ạntẹ. ? lạkẹṣ? ḅṛạterạis pạtriyiọ? is? k(e) References:Brixhe, C. 2004. 'Corpus des inscriptions paléo-phrygiennes: Supplément II', Kadmos 43, 1-130. Cox, C. W. M. & Cameron, A. 1932. 'A Native Inscription from the Myso-Phrygian Borderland', Klio 25, 34-49. Obrador-Cursach, B. 2018.  Lexicon of the Phrygian Inscriptions, Thesis, Barcelona. Image Sources:C. W. M. Cox & A. Cameron, 1932 --- ### Deliklitaş > Deliklitaş shaft monument - Phrygian Facade - Published: 2025-01-15 - Modified: 2025-02-05 - URL: https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/deliklitas/ - Categories: Phrygian Monuments Deliklitaş Monument is located on the Harmancık road near Köprücek village, 13 km west of Tavşanlı in Kütahya province. It was built on the southeastern face of a 15 meter-high rock, just north of the road. It was found in 1836 by W. J. Hamilton, but the first detailed examination was done in 1861 by G. Perrot. It is a shaft monument like Maltaş, Değirmen Yeri, and Bahşayiş monuments. It is the westernmost of the Phrygian rock façades and the only one located outside the Phrygian highlands. Its façade architecture is the largest of all Phrygian monuments. The niche structure under the monument is similar to those of Maltaş and Midas monuments. Particularly the lower part of the niche is highly weathered and eroded. The monument is dated to the first quarter of the 6th century BCE. References:Berndt-Ersöz, S. 2006.  Phrygian Rock–Cut Shrines. Structure, Function and Cult Practice, Leiden. Berndt-Ersöz, S. 1998. 'Phrygian Rock-Cut Cult Façades: A Study of the Function of the So-Called Shaft Monuments', Anatolian Studies 48, 87–112. Haspels, C. H. E. 1971.  The Highlands of Phrygia. Sites and monuments, Princeton. Tüfekçi-Sivas, T. 1999.  Eskişehir-Afyonkarahisar- Kütahya İl Sınırları İçindeki Phryg Kaya Anıtları, Anadolu Üniversitesi Yayınları No:1156, Eskişehir. Image sources:G. Perrot, 1892C. H. E. Haspels, 1971Bora Bilgin, 2022 --- ### Soğukçam (Germanos) > Soğukçam (Germanos) Phrygian rock niche - Published: 2025-01-15 - Modified: 2025-02-05 - URL: https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/sogukcam/ - Categories: Phrygian Monuments This small niche with an inscription is located 2 km south of the Soğukçam (ancient Germanos) village in the Göynük township of Bolu province. It was built on a conical rock locally known as Türbeönü or Yazılıkaya. The triangle-shaped niche is 60 cm in height and has an engraved frame around it. There was a 9-line Old Phrygian inscription (B‑01) under the niche. This monument was largely destroyed by treasure hunters in 2017. The inscription is completely destroyed, and the niche is partially damaged. There is another Old Phrygian rock inscription (B‑08) found in 2003 a few hundred meters away from the Germanos B-01 inscription. References:Berndt-Ersöz, S. 2006.  Phrygian Rock–Cut Shrines. Structure, Function and Cult Practice, Leiden. Image sources:arkeolojikhaber. com, 2019. arkeofili. com, 2019. milliyet. com. tr, 2019. --- ### Germanos (Soğukçam) Phrygian Inscriptions - Published: 2025-01-15 - Modified: 2025-02-05 - URL: https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/germanos-inscriptions/ - Categories: Phrygian Inscriptions Inscription B-01It is below the niche to the right, and consists of 9 lines. All the lines are written sinistroverse. There are no punctuation marks as word boundaries, but space is used instead. This is one of the longest old Phrygian texts found so far. Obrador-Cursach suggests a translation only for the beginning part.                       si bevdos adi. . kạṿarmọyo imroy edaes etoves niyomatar kubeleya ibey a duman ektetoyyos tivo ạ spereta ayni kin tel? ẹmitoyois erktẹvoys ekey daatiopito ey oy evẹmẹmesmeneya anato kavarmoỵun matar otekonov kesiti oyvos aey apaktnenipakray evkobeyan epaktoy 'Adi... (the son) of Kavarmoyos? made/put this statue for/in this field... ' Inscription B-08It is a few hundred meters away from the Germanos B-01 inscription. It has a very similar style to the B-01 inscription and the geograpical positions of the rocks raise the possibility that they got separated due to an earthquake. Yet, unlike the B-01 that face southeast, B-08 faces northeast and thus has been weathered much more than B-01 by the strong norhern winds and rains. A long crack divides the inscription into two parts. There are 4 lines are at the top and probably 5 lines at the bottom. All lines are written in sinistroverse. The upper part:                     kavarmoyo     epaves niyoy r kubeley The bottom part:       i tadila bevdos key key dabati                    References:Brixhe, C. & M. Lejeune. 1984.  Corpus des inscriptions paléo-phrygiennes, Paris. Brixhe, C. & G. Vottéro. 2016. 'Germanos Sogukçam, nouvelle inscription paléo-phrygienne dans une aire cultuelle remarquable', Kadmos 55, 1, 131-146. Obrador-Cursach, B. 2018.... --- ### Kalehisar (Karahisar) > Kalehisar (Karahisar) Phrygian stepped altar - Published: 2025-01-15 - Modified: 2025-02-05 - URL: https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/kalehisar/ - Categories: Phrygian Monuments It is an altar located on Kalehisar (or Karahisar) Hill, 4 km north of Alacahöyük, Çorum. The altar consists of two parts. The higher section on the right has stylized idols and four steps. The two lion reliefs sitting on the third step are quite eroded. Their heads are completely destroyed. On the vertical side of the third step is a two-line Old Phrygian inscription (P‑06). The left side of the monument is slightly lower. It is arranged like a bench with 4. 2 x 1. 5 m dimensions. The rock behind the bench was worked as a backrest. On the upper part of this, there are two lion sculptures carved on two separate bases. Their heads are completely destroyed, and only the bodies are preserved. References:Berndt-Ersöz, S. 2006.  Phrygian Rock–Cut Shrines. Structure, Function and Cult Practice, Leiden. Image sources:S. Berndt-Ersöz, 2006Bora Bilgin, 2021Tayfun Bilgin, 2021 --- ### Kalehisar (Karahisar) Phrygian Inscription > Kalehisar (Karahisar) Old Phrygian Inscription P-05 - Published: 2025-01-15 - Modified: 2025-02-05 - URL: https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/kalehisar-inscription/ - Categories: Phrygian Inscriptions Inscription P-06 on the Kalehisar AltarThe two-line inscription is on the vertical side of the third step. The upper line is written dextroverse, and the lower one is sinistroverse. The surface of the stone is highly eroded and covered with lichen. →   a? kiti? ... s←   ai ⁝ ios aeiketio ivi. . se. n? References:Brixhe, C. & M. Lejeune. 1984.  Corpus des inscriptions paléo-phrygiennes, Paris. Obrador-Cursach, B. 2018.  Lexicon of the Phrygian Inscriptions, Thesis, Barcelona. --- ### Boğazkale (Boğazköy) > Mother Goddess Matar statue found in Boğazkale - Published: 2025-01-15 - Modified: 2025-02-05 - URL: https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/bogazkale/ - Categories: Phrygian Monuments Hattusa (Boğazkale, formerly Boğazköy), the capital of the Hittites, was used as a Phrygian settlement in the Iron Age. The most important monument found in Boğazkale regarding the Phrygian period is a mother goddess Matar statue. It was found in 1957 during the excavations at the southeast gate of the citadel at Büyükkale in Boğazkale. The statue, which was found lying under the wall debris, must have been standing in a niche on the city wall. There are two smaller human figures on both sides of the goddess, one playing a double flute and the other playing a lyre. The statue is 1. 26 m in height. The niche in which it originally stood is estimated to be approximately 6 x 5 m in size and had a pitched roof. The statue is currently on display in the Anatolian Civilizations Museum in Ankara. About 40 m north of the niche location, there is an idol relief made on a stone block at the ground level of the wall.   References:Berndt-Ersöz, S. 2006.  Phrygian Rock–Cut Shrines. Structure, Function and Cult Practice, Leiden. Naumann, F. 1983.  Die Ikonographie der Kybele in der phrygischen und der griechischen Kunst (IstMitt-BH, 28). Tübingen. Neve, P. 1993. 'Die Ausgrabungen in Bogazkoy-Hattusa 1992', Archäologischer Anzeiger 1993, 621-652. Image source:P. Neve, 1993Bora Bilgin, 2024 --- ### Kerkenes > Kerkenes Phrygian settlement in Yozgat - Published: 2025-01-15 - Modified: 2025-02-05 - URL: https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/kerkenes/ - Categories: Phrygian Monuments The settlement was founded by the Phrygians in the 7th century on the Kerkenes Mountain to the northwest of the Şahmuratlı village in the Sorgun district of Yozgat. The first surveys began in 1993, and since 2001 excavations and surveys have been ongoing under the direction of Geoffrey D. Summers. The city walls, about 7 kilometers long, surround a settlement area of 2. 5 square kilometers. It is likely that this is the city that was recorded as Pteria in ancient sources. The same sources indicate that Pteria was completely destroyed by the Lydian King Croesus during the campaign against the Persians around 540 BCE. Findings from Kerkenes excavations confirm that the city was destroyed by a huge fire. It is estimated to have had a population of at least 30 thousand people at its peak. There was no settlement in the city after the Phrygian period. The Cappadocia Gate is one of the seven gates of the city. It is the most impressive in terms of monumental architecture. This name was given because it overlooks the Cappadocia region in the southeast. A statue base found at the back of the Cappadocia Gate. The block with the relief of a pair of sphinxes is 1. 8 meters long and weighs about 2 tons. The mortise hole on top of the statue base still has a white stone piece that must have broken off from the statue that once stood on it. A Phrygian idol, which was reconstructed from multiple fragments... --- ### Kerkenes Phrygian Inscription > Old Phrygian inscription K-01 from Kerkenes - Published: 2025-01-15 - Modified: 2025-02-05 - URL: https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/kerkenes-inscription/ - Categories: Phrygian Inscriptions Inscription K-01The inscription consists of fragments that probably belong to a single monument made of sandstone. It is inscribed on a frame bordering the surface of a rectangular prism-shaped block. The upper part of the frame is written sinistroverse, and the rest is dextroverse. I a                 →      vọṣ|iI b                 →     iẹḅ. . or yẹḅ. . II                   →     ṣṛIII                  →     ọitio ⁞? vosịḳ? IV - XIV a                        ... IV b               →     eniyẹV                   ←     . pa ( uva ( . VI+VII a1      ←      ( ṃạsa u-VI+VII a2      →     rgitos dakor s⸗vebrạVI+VII b        →     tataniyeṇ? ẹḍaesVIII                →     le. IX                           . ‘... Uva ... Masa (the son) of Urgi(s) ... Tataniyen made this vebras... ’ References:Draycott, C. M. , G. D. Summers, & C. Brixhe. 2008, Kerkenes Special Studies 1: Sculpture and Inscriptions from the Monumental Entrance to the Palatial Complex at Kerkenes Dağ, Turkey (Oriental Institute Publication 135). Chicago. Obrador-Cursach, B. 2018.  Lexicon of the Phrygian Inscriptions, Thesis, Barcelona. Image Sources:C. M. Draycott et al. , 2008Bora Bilgin, 2021 --- ### Faharet Çeşme Twin Idol > Phrygian twin idol of Faharet Çeşme - Published: 2025-01-15 - Modified: 2025-02-05 - URL: https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/faharet/ - Categories: Phrygian Monuments The twin idol stele was found as reused in a fountain called Faharet Çeşme (Faharet Fountain) near Yukarı Yurtçu Village in Ankara. It was first noticed in 1926 by H. H. von der Osten. It was removed from the fountain and carried to the Ankara Anatolian Civilizations Museum in 2018. References:Buluç, S. 1994. 'İlkçağda Ankara', in Ankara Ankara, Yapı Kredi Yayınları, İstanbul. von der Osten, H. H. 1929.  'Explorations in Central Anatolia, Season of 1926', The University of Chicago Oriental Institute Publications 5, Chicago. Tarihte Etimesgut, Etimesgut Belediye Başkanlığı Kültür Yayınları, Yayın No. 3, Ankara, 2018 Image sources:H. H. von der Osten, 1929S. Berndt-Ersöz, 2006Tarihte Etimesgut, 2018Bora Bilgin, 2024 --- ### Idol of Sincan > Phrygian twin idol from Sincan - Published: 2025-01-15 - Modified: 2025-01-15 - URL: https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/sincan/ - Categories: Phrygian Monuments It is a twin idol embossed on an andesite rock. It was found in 1999 by the villagers near Tatlar village in Sincan, Ankara and currently in Anatolian Civilizations Museum in Ankara. (108 x 67 x 42 cm). References:Metin, M. & M. Akalın. 2001. 'Frigya'da Bulunan İkiz İdol', in Anadolu Medeniyetleri Müzesi 2000 Yıllığı, Ankara. Roller, L. E. 2012. 'Phrygian Religion and Cult Practice', in Phrygians, In the Land of Midas, In the Shadow of Monuments, eds. T. Tüfekçi-Sivas & H. Sivas, İstanbul. Image sources:M. Metin & M. Akalın, 2001Roller, 2012Tayfun Bilgin, 2014 --- ### Dümrek Altars > Phrygian stepped altars of Dümrek - Published: 2025-01-15 - Modified: 2025-02-05 - URL: https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/dumrek/ - Categories: Phrygian Monuments There are a dozen rock altars identified at the site known as Kalebaşı, 1 km east of Dümrek village in Mihalıççık district of Eskişehir. The site is located on a high rocky plateau extending from the west to the east towards the Sakarya River. The monuments are built at close distances to each other. Apart from these altars, there are no rock monuments on the plateau. A Phrygian settlement could not be identified at the site, which is approximately 23 km northwest of Gordion. Therefore, it is believed that this place was mostly used as a sacred cult area. Dating to the 9th or 8th century BCE, these altars are some of the earliest Phrygian monuments, along with those in Midas City. Altar 1 (Berndt-Ersöz No: 101; Tüfekçi-Sivas No: 1; Tamsü Cat. No: 27)It was the first monument to the left of the road that leads to the plateau from the west. It had a stylized idol and 5 steps. The stylized idol was 70 cm high and supported with two quarter-circle discs on each side. There were also armrest extensions in front of them, so it really resembled a throne, as many researchers have suggested. This monument was completely destroyed by treasure hunters in the 2010s. Altar 2 (Berndt-Ersöz No: 102; Tüfekçi-Sivas No:2; Tamsü Cat. No: 28)It is about 200 m northeast of Altar 1. There is a stylized idol and 3 steps. The height of the idol is 26 cm. Altar 3 (Berndt-Ersöz No: 103; Tüfekçi-Sivas No: 3; Tamsü Cat. No:... --- ### Gordion (Yassıhöyük) - Published: 2025-01-15 - Modified: 2025-02-05 - URL: https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/gordion/ - Categories: Phrygian Monuments The city of Gordion, capital of the Phrygian Kingdom, is located 94 km west of Ankara, next to Yassıhöyük village, 29 km northwest of Polatlı. Findings obtained from the excavations show that there was a settlement in Gordion before the Phrygian Period since the Early Bronze Age. However, the city showed its great development as the capital of the Phrygians in the 9th century BCE, and after the Phrygian period, the settlement continued until the 14th century CE. The Gordion mound, which covers an area of approximately 13. 5 acres, is located right on the river Sakarya (Sangarios). The mound was first discovered and studied by the brothers Gustav and Alfred Körte in 1900, and since 1950 excavations have been carried out almost uninterruptedly by Rodney Young, Keith DeVries, Mary Voigt, Kenneth Sams, and currently Brian Rose. The site has also yielded the richest finds in terms of Old Phrygian inscriptions (see Gordion Inscriptions) thanks to the excavations conducted here. The artifacts are exhibited in museums in Gordion, Istanbul, and Ankara. Tumulus MM Tumuli are one of the burial customs of Phrygians. However, their limited number suggests that this applies only to the royal family and high-ranking people in society. Around Gordion, there are more than 120 burial mounds or tumuli, most of which belong to the Phrygian period. Only 44 of them have been excavated until now. Undoubtedly, the most important of them is the MM tumulus with a height of 53 meters, overlooking all the others. The original height... --- ### Phrygian Inscriptions of Gordion - Published: 2025-01-15 - Modified: 2025-02-05 - URL: https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/gordion-inscriptions/ - Categories: Phrygian Inscriptions The Phrygian capital city Gordion yielded the richest finds in terms of Old Phrygian inscriptions thanks to the excavations conducted here. Although there are no rock inscriptions due to the unsuitable nature of the site, many inscriptions were found on stone blocks and sherds. 11 stone inscriptions are shared below. Inscription G-01It is a votive tile found in 1950 under a Persian period building. There are only 7 pieces of a very fragmented stone. There are Old Phrygian inscriptions on its upper face and two on the vertical side. The 4 lines on the upper face is written boustrophedon. Dated to the 6th century BCE. It is currently in the Anatolian Civilizations Museum in Ankara. A ←→←→ voṣạỵuveọ? lavịisvolkay⁝ dumeyay ⁝ ḍeḍa B → ita. ṭerkeya ask C ←       ṇ|p|arkes v Inscription G-02The limestone slab was found reused in a Persian period canal wall at the west of the city gate in 1952. Although no exact dating can be made, it is thought to be from not later than the 6th century BCE. Only the upper face of the stone is inscribed, and it bears both a text and a pair of engraved pointy-toed shoe prints. The dextroverse written text consists of three parts. It is currently in the Gordion Museum. ABC agariṭoi ⁞ p̣ẹtes ⁝ adoikavoiios oporokitis. ? kakoioi tovo ⁝ podaskai? ‘Devoted foot of/for Adoikavos. Whoever ... harms it, ... ’ Inscription G-03The limestone block was found among the rubble pack under the wall of a Persian period... --- ### Karacakaya (Gelinkız) Rock Tomb > Karacakaya (Gelinkız) Phrygian rock-cut tomb - Published: 2025-01-15 - Modified: 2025-02-05 - URL: https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/karacakaya/ - Categories: Phrygian Monuments The Phrygian rock-cut tomb is located on a hill called Çaltepe near the village of Karacakaya in Dümrek town of Eskişehir-Sivrihisar, where there are plenty of marble quarries. The tomb was carved into a hard marble layer. The locals name it the 'Gelinkız' (Bride Girl) tomb. It is a single-chamber tomb with a pitched roof and a triangular pediment. It has two klinai. Unlike the typical Phrygian tombs that are cut into the steep surfaces of high rocks, it was carved into a rock mass below ground level. There are very few other examples of this type of Phrygian tombs. Furthermore, the high relief made on one of the walls inside the chamber makes this tomb unique. It shows a horse rider and a footman holding a spear. Large cracks on the tomb wall have caused serious damage to the lower section of the relief. The tomb was first identified and published by T. Tüfekçi-Sivas, who suggests a date in the mid-6th century BCE.  References:Tüfekçi-Sivas, T. 2008. 'Kabartmalı Bir Frig Kaya Mezarı: Karacakaya/Gelin Kız Mezarı', in Muhibbe Darga Armağanı, eds. T. Tarhan, A. Tibet, and E. Konyar, İstanbul 437-450. Sivas, H. 2012. 'Phrygian Rock Cut Tombs', in Phrygians, In the Land of Midas, In the Shadow of Monuments, eds. T. Tüfekçi-Sivas & H. Sivas, İstanbul, 2012. Image sources:T. Tüfekçi-Sivas, 2008H. Sivas, 2012 --- ### Zey Köyü - Published: 2025-01-15 - Modified: 2025-02-05 - URL: https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/zeykoyu/ - Categories: Phrygian Monuments Zey village is located on a rocky slope on the northern skirts of the Sivrihisar Mountains. About 1 km south of the village, on two sides of a narrow rocky valley, there are twelve Phrygian chamber tombs and two stepped altars carved into the high parts of the rock masses. Zey Kale, 1 km south of this area, was a Phrygian settlement. Altar 1It is located at the top of the rock tombs no. 8 and no. 9. The altar has three steps on the right. The rock surface at the top of the steps has been leveled to form a platform, and it has two libation pits. The rock mass behind the altar has a two-stage bench on the left and a rectangular pit on the platform in front of the bench. Altar 2It is above the rock tombs no. 6 and no. 7 to the west of the Altar 1. Like Altar 1, it consists of two parts. On the right is an L-shaped platform reached by a step, and on the left is a 2 m long bench. There is a square pit on the platform and two steps carved into the rock on the left side. Rock Tomb No: 9Zey Tomb 9 is the most spectacular in the necropolis and the only tomb that Haspels has included in the Group II tombs (see General Information). Its rectangular doorway is on the long wall, which is rarely seen in the Phrygian rock tombs. The existence of a half-moon-shaped... --- ### Kuzören (Tavuk Pınarı) > Phrygian rock facade in Kuzören - Published: 2025-01-15 - Modified: 2025-02-05 - URL: https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/kuzoren/ - Categories: Phrygian Monuments The monument is located about 1 km southwest of Kuzören village in the Günyüzü district of Eskişehir, in a place called Bel Mevkii Tavuk Pınarı at the foothills of Arayıt Mountain. The façade is carved on a rock block. It has a triangular pediment and a pitched roof and is 1. 25 m high and 1. 2 m wide. Roughly half of the monument, including the head of the goddess relief in the niche and the upper part of the body was destroyed by treasure hunters. The broken parts, including the roof and some of the embossed pieces of the façade wall, are still visible around the rock. There are traces of the high polo on the head of the goddess, as well as the outer contours of her long dress, the pleated skirt with a parallel vertical groove, and the toes protruding out from under the skirt. References:Tüfekçi Sivas, T. & H. Sivas. 2004. '2002 Yılı Eskişehir, Kütahya, Afyonkarahisar illeri yüzey araştırması', in AST 21:2, Ankara, 155–166. Tüfekçi-Sivas, T. 2004. 'Friglerde Ana Tanrıça Matar Kubileya Tapınımına Ait Kült Anıtlar Üzerine Yeni Gözlemler', in Uluslararası Türk Dünyası İnan Merkezleri Kongresi Bildirileri, Ankara Image sources:Tayfun Bilgin, 2020 --- ### Tekören - Published: 2025-01-15 - Modified: 2025-02-05 - URL: https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/tekoren/ - Categories: Phrygian Monuments It is a stepped altar located on the rocky area about 150 m northeast of Tekören village in Sivrihisar township of Eskişehir. Tekören village is located 7. 5 km north of the city of Pessinus, an ancient Phrygian settlement. The altar has a stylized idol and three steps. The upper part is partially eroded. The idol is 40 cm high, and there are armrest-shaped protrusions on both its sides. There is a Phrygian rock tomb about 50 m south of the altar and two side-by-side carved rock basins possibly for grape crushing about 13 m northeast.  References:Berndt-Ersöz, S. 2006.  Phrygian Rock–Cut Shrines. Structure, Function and Cult Practice, Leiden. Image sources:Bora Bilgin, 2020Tayfun Bilgin, 2020 --- ### Balkayası (Böğürtlen) - Published: 2025-01-15 - Modified: 2025-02-05 - URL: https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/balkayasi/ - Categories: Phrygian Monuments It is a small façade on a rock called Balkayası near the village of Böğürtlen, 7 km north of Sivrihisar, Eskişehir. The façade engraved on a flat rock surface is approximately 2 m high and 1. 5 m wide. Traces of red paint are still visible on the roof beams and niche frame. The niche is not too deep. According to some researchers, it is an incomplete monument. It probably dates to the 6th to 4th centuries BCE in Late Phrygian period.  References:Berndt-Ersöz, S. 2006.  Phrygian Rock–Cut Shrines. Structure, Function and Cult Practice, Leiden. Image sources:Nuri Özen - GoogleMaps, 2012Ertuğrul Anıl, 2020Tayfun Bilgin, 2020 --- ### Dorylaion (Şarhöyük) Phrygian Inscriptions - Published: 2025-01-15 - Modified: 2025-02-05 - URL: https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/dorylaion/ - Categories: Phrygian Inscriptions Dorylaion is an ancient Phrygian settlement that remains in the Eskişehir city center today. Almost all of the inscriptions found are graffiti incised on sherds (few containing more than a letter). Only two stone inscriptions (NW-01 and NW-02) have been found. All inscriptions are dated to the Late Phrygian period. Inscription NW-01It is an unpublished inscription of only a few characters on the upper face of a stone with a horse rider relief. The stone is in the Eskişehir Museum. Inscription NW-02The sandstone slab was found in 2017 during the Şarhöyük (Dorylaion) excavations among the stones in the foundation of a Hellenistic building. The single-line Old Phrygian inscription on the stone is written sinistroverse. It is dated to the 6th or 5th centuries BCE. ←     iman ( umnip̣ References:Baştürk, M. B. & Avram, A. 2019. 'A Newly Discovered Old Phrygian Inscription from Şarhöyük (Dorylaion)', Ancient West & East 18, 231-239. Obrador-Cursach, B. 2018.  Lexicon of the Phrygian Inscriptions, Thesis, Barcelona. Image Sources:M. B. Baştürk & A. Avram, 2019 --- ### Gümüşbel Idol - Published: 2025-01-15 - Modified: 2025-02-05 - URL: https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/gumusbel/ - Categories: Phrygian Monuments It was found in 2019 at the southeastern slopes of a mound named Eski Cami, about 1 km southeast of Gümüşbel village of Seyitgazi-Eskişehir. The idol-shaped stele is made of tuff stone and has a 4-line Old Phrygian inscription (W‑14). There are three heads and long bodies(? ) carved on the stele. It may indicate that the Mother Goddess is depicted together with companion gods. The first line of the inscription is written above the figures, and the other three lines are below them. Some clues from the inscription are interpreted to suggest that the stele was used as a boundary stone. The stele is exhibited in the Eskişehir Archaeological Museum. References:Tamsü-Polat, R. , Y. Polat and A. Lubotsky. 2020. 'An Idol-Shaped Stele with an Old Phrygian Inscription in the Territory of Nakoleia', Gephrya 19, 45-67. Image sources:arkeolojikhaber. com, 2019R. Tamsü-Polat et al. , 2020Bora Bilgin, 2024 --- ### Gümüşbel Phrygian Inscription - Published: 2025-01-15 - Modified: 2025-02-05 - URL: https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/gumusbel-inscription/ - Categories: Phrygian Inscriptions Inscription W-14It is a 4-line Old Phrygian inscription. The first line of the inscription is written sinistroverse (right to left) above the idol figures on the stele. The other three lines are below the figures and are written boustrophedon, starting sinistroverse. In part II, "imanmeutermos" is identified as a separate part/sentence and translated as "my monument is a boundary stone. "I   ←          atas      ←     imanmeuterII   →     mostekise     ←       tondagoy References:Tamsü-Polat, R. , Y. Polat and A. Lubotsky. 2020. 'An Idol-Shaped Stele with an Old Phrygian Inscription in the Territory of Nakoleia', Gephrya 19, 45-67. Image sources:arkeolojikhaber. com, 2019Bora Bilgin, 2024 --- ### Keskaya (Çatalkaya) - Published: 2025-01-15 - Modified: 2025-02-05 - URL: https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/keskaya/ - Categories: Phrygian Monuments There are two small façades and one idol in Keskaya (Çatalkaya), a Phrygian settlement, 1. 5 km west of the Karaalan village of Eskişehir. It takes its name (Kes-kaya means cut-rock, Çatal-kaya means fork-rock) from the rock mass located in the region that is cut open like a groove from above. It is located on the rocky hill overlooking the Porsuk Stream. The first monument was discovered in 1931 during the surveys in the region by C. W. Cox and A. Cameron. It is engraved on the northeast-facing side of a rock mass called Sivri Kaya (or Uzun Kaya) on the eastern edge of the rock platform. Karaalan-Uluçayır village road passes right in front of it. It has been heavily destroyed due to natural conditions and treasure hunters. The niche section is carved like an entrance door of the façade. There are illegible traces of an inscription in the niche, but it is unclear whether they are contemporary with or post-date the monument. The second monument is located on the east-facing side of one of the rock masses on the opposite side of the road, approximately 500 m northeast of the first. It was discovered during the researche carried out by Tüfekçi-Sivas in 1995. The monument overall is highly weathered, and the figure of the goddess in the niche was destroyed by treasure hunters. It is estimated that both façades belong to the Late Phrygian (550-300 BCE) period. There is a single idol about 400 m south of the first... --- ### Deliktaş - Published: 2025-01-15 - Modified: 2025-02-05 - URL: https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/deliktas/ - Categories: Phrygian Monuments It is a small Phrygian fortress about 1. 5 km north of the İnlice locality of Ovacık village in Kütahya. Its central location on the mountain range (i. e. , the "Long Range" of Haspels) that divides the mountainous Phrygia in half was very strategic for communicating with other fortresses by sign. Even the Midas Kale is visible from Deliktaş Kale. A simple oval niche is located on the west side of the steps at the south entrance of the fort. On the back wall of the niche, there was a mother goddess figure that has been completely destroyed by treasure hunters. Today only its traces on the wall are visible. References:Berndt-Ersöz, S. 2006.  Phrygian Rock–Cut Shrines. Structure, Function and Cult Practice, Leiden. Haspels, C. H. E. 1971.  The Highlands of Phrygia. Sites and Monuments, Princeton. Tüfekçi-Sivas, T. & Sivas, H. 2009.  Frig Vadileri (Frigler'den Türk Dönemine Uzanan Miras), T. C. Eskişehir Valiliği, Eskişehir. Tüfekçi-Sivas, T. 2012. 'Phrygian Valleys and Sacred Yazılıkaya-MidasCity', in Phrygians, In the Land of Midas, In the Shadow of Monuments, ed. by T. Tüfekçi-Sivas & H. Sivas, İstanbul. Image sources:C. H. E. Haspels, 1971T. Tüfekçi-Sivas & H. Sivas, 2009Bora Bilgin, 2021 --- ### Sülün - Published: 2025-01-15 - Modified: 2025-02-05 - URL: https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/sulun/ - Categories: Phrygian Monuments The small façade with a pitched roof and a triangular pediment is found near the Sülün town of Afyonkarahisar province. It is carved on a rock mass on a steep slope. The monument is relatively well preserved except for some minor destruction within its rectangular niche.   References:Tüfekçi-Sivas, T. & H. Sivas. 2003. 'Eskişehir, Kütahya, Afyonkarahisar illeri yüzey araştırması arkeolojik envanter raporu', TÜBA-TÜKSEK Kültür envanteri dergisi/Journal of cultural inventory 1, 2–32. Tüfekçi-Sivas, T. & H. Sivas. 2004. ‘2002 Yılı Eskişehir, Kütahya, Afyonkarahisar illeri yüzey araştırması’, in AST 21:2, Ankara, 155–166. Image sources:T. Tüfekçi-Sivas & H. Sivas, 2003 --- ### Fındık Valley and Asar Kale > Fındık is a large Phrygian settlement located near Fındık village about 25 km northeast of Kütahya. - Published: 2025-01-15 - Modified: 2025-02-07 - URL: https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/findik/ - Categories: Phrygian Monuments Fındık is a large Phrygian settlement located near Fındık village, about 25 km northeast of Kütahya. It is one of the most noticeable Phrygian sites in the highlands region, together with Göynüş and Yazılıkaya. It is situated in a narrow valley, on a small stream that flows north into a tributary of Porsuk. The northern part of the site is occupied by the kale, called Fındık Asar Kale (or Kaya). It is a large fortress built on a rocky elevation in a narrow valley at the south of Fındık village. The fortress can be reached by two separate stairs, one on the south and the other on the west side of the plateau. There are traces of numerous structures inside the kale, as well as many façades, niches, altars, and rock tombs scattered around the fortress and the valley. Shaft Monument (Façade 1)It is located approximately 370 m south of Asar Kale, built at the bottom of a slope. Haspels says it's a shaft monument. However, in comparison to all the other shaft monuments (see Bahşayiş, Deliklitaş, Maltaş, and Değirmen Yeri), it is much smaller in scale that some researchers classify it as a niche rather than a façade. The space behind the niche is rather small for a typical shaft. It is only 95 cm deep. Also, the front face is not in the appearance of a house façade. The rock face is flattened in a square shape, but there is not any workmanship other than a frame that... --- ### Alanyurt Phrygian Inscription - Published: 2025-01-15 - Modified: 2025-02-05 - URL: https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/alanyurt/ - Categories: Phrygian Inscriptions Inscription MPhr-01 (Brixhe W-11)The white marble funerary stele with an 8-line Phrygian inscription was found by T. Drew-Bear in a field in the village of Alanyurt (17 km north of the ancient city of Dokimeion) in Afyonkarahisar. Unlike all other Old Phrygian inscriptions, which use the epichoric Old Phrygian alphabet, this inscription is written in the Greek alphabet, which is used in all Neo Phrygian inscriptions. However, all known Neo Phrygian inscriptions date to between the 1st and 3rd centuries CE, whereas this inscription is dated to the end of the 4th century BCE. Brixhe enumerates this inscription as W-11 along with the Old Phrygian inscriptions, while Obrador-Cursach enumerates it MPhr-01 as the first and so far the only example of the Middle Phrygian period.  The entire text constitutes a 6-line poem, and colons are used to separate verses rather than words. The transliteration below is organized into 6 verses (Lubotsky, 2017). 1 μανκα μεκας σας κιυιν εν κε βιλαταδε|ναν νεκοινουν :2 ποκραιου κη γλουρεος γαμενο̣υ̣ν̣ | σ̣α̣ σοροι ματι μακραν :3 βλασκον κε τακρις κε λο̣υ̣ν̣|ι̣ο̣υ̣ μροτις λαπτα ματι ᾰοινουν :4 νικοστρατο̣ς̣ | κ̣λ̣ευμαχοι μιρος αιδομενου ματιν κισυις :̣5 μ̣ο̣|. κρος υιταν παρτιας πλαδε πορ κοροοσ̣ . . |ρ̣ο̣ς̣ παντης :6 πεννιτι ιος κοροαν δετου̣ν̣ | σ̣ο̣υ̣ν ομαστα ομνισιτ ους. References:Brixhe, C. 2004. 'Corpus des inscriptions paléo-phrygiennes: Supplément II', Kadmos 43, 1-130. Lubotsky, A. 2017. 'The Phrygian inscription from Dokimeion and its meter', in Miscellanea Indogermanica. Festschrift für José Luis García Ramón zum 65. Geburtstag, eds. I. Hajnal et al. , Innsbruck,... --- ### Burmeç - Published: 2025-01-15 - Modified: 2025-02-05 - URL: https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/burmec/ - Categories: Phrygian Monuments Burmeç rock façade is in a location called Çiçeklikonak Rocks, 2. 6 km north of Bayramaliler village in İhsaniye district of Afyonkarahisar. The monument was first discovered by W. M. Ramsay in 1884. It was named Burmeç by Haspels after a nearby fountain with the same name. The local people call it Muskalı (a triangle‑shaped amulet) Rock due to its shape. The incomplete façade has only its pitched roof carved on a 15 m high tuff rock. Previous researchers mentioned two opposing sphinx reliefs that were barely visible on the pediment. There are no traces of them today. The middle section of the pediment was detonated by treasure hunters. It is dated to the mid-6th century BCE.  References:Berndt-Ersöz, S. 2006.  Phrygian Rock–Cut Shrines. Structure, Function and Cult Practice, Leiden. Haspels, C. H. E. 1971.  The Highlands of Phrygia. Sites and Monuments, Princeton. Tüfekçi-Sivas, T. & H. Sivas. 2009.  Frig Vadileri (Frigler'den Türk Dönemine Uzanan Miras), T. C. Eskişehir Valiliği, Eskişehir. Tüfekçi-Sivas, T. 1999.  Eskişehir-Afyonkarahisar- Kütahya İl Sınırları İçindeki Phryg Kaya Anıtları, Anadolu Üniversitesi Yayınları No:1156, Eskişehir. Brandenburg, E. 1906. 'Neue Untersuchungen im Gebiet der phrygischen Felsenfassaden', Abhandlungen der historischen Klasse der königlich Bayerischen Akademie der Wissenschaften 23, 633–716. Image sources:E. Brandenburg, 1906C. H. E. Haspels, 1971T. Tüfekçi-Sivas & H. Sivas, 2009Bora Bilgin, 2020Tayfun Bilgin, 2020 --- ### Berberini Phrygian Inscription > W-02 Old Phrygian inscription on Berberini facade - Published: 2025-01-15 - Modified: 2025-02-05 - URL: https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/berberini-inscription/ - Categories: Phrygian Inscriptions Inscription W-02The inscription is engraved above the pediment of the façade. It is written dextroverse (from left to right).   iketaios ⁝ pseikạ? eḍ? ẹ? s'Iketaios ... made. ' References:Brixhe, C. & M. Lejeune. 1984.  Corpus des inscriptions paléo-phrygiennes, Paris. Obrador-Cursach, B. 2018.  Lexicon of the Phrygian Inscriptions, Thesis, Barcelona. Image Sources:Ben Claasz Coockson, 2016Sibel Bilgin, 2020 --- ### Phrygian Fortresses of Yazılıkaya Valley > Akpara, Gökgöz, Pişmiş, Gökgöz and Midas City are the Phrygian fortresses in Yazılıkaya valley - Published: 2025-01-15 - Modified: 2025-02-06 - URL: https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/yazilikaya/ - Categories: Phrygian Monuments There are four fortresses located on the high hills to the north and northeast of Midas City and Yazılıkaya Valley. They were built to protect the Midas City as well as the Phrygian settlements around it. The northernmost Akpara Kale also controls the Doğanlı Valley to the east. The other three fortresses, Gökgöz, Pişmiş, and Kocabaş, form the northeastern border of the Phrygian Highlands. Pişmiş KaleIt is located on an approximately 100 m high rocky plateau, about 1. 2 km north of the Yazılıkaya Village. Of the fortress walls, only the traces of the foundation stones remain. There are several rock-carved rooms, silos, and cisterns. After the Phrygians, it was used until the end of the Middle Ages. Among all Phrygian fortresses, Pişmiş Kale is probably the best fortified one, as well as one of the few that has a cultic monument. Outside the south entrance of the fortress, there is a rectangular niche on the rock wall on the east side. It is rather high from the ground level. There is also a Phrygian rock tomb on a separate rock mass on the southwestern slope of the fortress. Kocabaş KaleThe easternmost of the four Phrygian fortresses lined to the north of Midas City is a relatively small fortress and the first one that controls the entrance to the valley. It may have served as an outpost of Pişmiş Kale. On the high rocky plateau, there are foundations of large structures and pits that were used as silos and cisterns.... --- ### Döğer Valley - Published: 2025-01-15 - Modified: 2025-02-06 - URL: https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/doger/ - Categories: Phrygian Monuments Döğer Valley, located 40 km north of Afyonkarahisar and 10 km northwest of Göynüş Valley, is a residential area used extensively by Phrygians. There are many Phrygian fortresses around the valley along with several monumental façades such as Aslankaya, Burmeç, Büyük Kapıkaya, and Küçük Kapıkaya. The vast majority of the monuments are located around Emre Lake to the east of the valley. Döğer Asar Kale, Façade, and NicheDöğer Asar Kale is a Phrygian fortress located 3 km northeast of Döğer town. The majority of the visible remnants carved into the rocks on this high plateau belong to the Byzantine period. There are large and small rock masses spread over a wide area on the southern skirts of the kale. There is a small façade on one of the rocks located about 80 m southeast of the kale. It is like a small copy of the Deliklitaş monument with its curved side walls and steep roof. The niche is empty. There are three steps leading to the façade. Two other carved rock blocks (A and B on the map) stand about 25-50 m south-southwest of this monument. Haspels describes them as sculpture bases. The southernmost one has been classified by Berndt-Ersöz as a niche built without a roof. The other one is also classified as a stepped altar by G. de Francovich. ÜçlerkayasıIt is a small fortress located on the southern tip of the hill to the northeast of the village of Üçlerkayası (formerly Leğen). Carved into the rocks are structures like rooms, silos, and cisterns. Kırkmerdiven... --- ### Karababa Valley - Published: 2025-01-15 - Modified: 2025-02-06 - URL: https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/karababa/ - Categories: Phrygian Monuments It lies parallel to Göynüş Valley in the southeast. There are two Phrygian rock monuments discovered in the valley: a large shaft monument and a niche. Değirmen Yeri MonumentThis monument unfortunately no longer exists. It was discovered by Haspels in Karababa Valley in Kayıhan town of Afyonkarahisar province in 1950. Haspels identified two rock blocks with monumental decoration above the ground in the location called Değirmen Yeri (Mill Site), just south of Karababa Tekke. The area around the monument was cleaned and excavated. All drawings and photographs of Haspels are from that period. During the subsequent visits to the region, the location of the monument could not be found. From the statements of Haspels, it is understood that the Afyon-Eskişehir highway, the construction of which was started around that time, passed over the monument. Today, this road passes right by Karababa Tekke. It is believed that the monument is under the road or it was destroyed during the road works. The monument had been heavily damaged even when it was discovered by Haspels. Architecturally, it was a great façade as well as a shaft monument such as Maltaş, Deliklitaş, and Bahşayiş. However, unlike any Phrygian monument, it had a unique bordered courtyard that surrounded it on four sides. Geometric patterns decorated the façade as well as the inner and outer sides of the courtyard walls. The niche on the façade is half a meter high from the courtyard floor. There is a 35 cm wide hole on the back side of the niche wall... --- ### Alaçan Rock Idol > Alaçan Phrygian Rock Idol - Published: 2025-01-15 - Modified: 2025-02-06 - URL: https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/alacan/ - Categories: Phrygian Monuments It was discovered during surveys in a place called Alaçan at Harlık locality, 3. 6 km west of Midas Kale, in 2018. It is a single rock idol found on an east-facing rock. The idol made in low relief consists of a single head and body. The head sits directly on the body. There is no neck or shoulder detail. The vertical lines made on both sides of the body remind of the symbolic arm detail. Similarly, there are double rows of deeply incised lines around the head, interpreted as symbolic hair. Such hair detailed idols in Midas City (A2, A28, and A29) and Sincan. The upper part of the head has been destroyed. There is a 40 cm wide narrow platform in front of the idol, which was probably created to be used for offering purposes. References:Polat, Y. 2019. Yazılıkaya/Midas Vadisi Araştırmalarında Bulunan Bir Kaya İdolü, Colloquium Anatolicum 18, 18, 139-154. Image sources:Y. Polat, 2019 --- ### Kümbet Valley - Published: 2025-01-15 - Modified: 2025-02-06 - URL: https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/kumbet/ - Categories: Phrygian Monuments Kümbet Valley is located approximately 70 km south of Eskişehir and 8 km west of Midas City and stretches for 6 km from northwest to southeast. The valley is almost at the center of the Phrygian highlands. Kümbet village within the valley is the location of an old Phrygian settlement. Kümbet Asar KaleIt is a typical Phrygian fortress on a rocky hill, dominating the mountain roads of the Kümbet Valley and Beldere route, 1. 5 km northeast of Kümbet village at the north side of the valley. It has a stepped and ramped entrance from the north. There are silos carved into the bedrock, as well as rock-carved rooms and a monumental cistern covered with a vaulted ceiling. Berberini FaçadeAbout 300 m northeast of the fortress, there is a small Phrygian façade on the eastern face of a rock called Berberini. This façade was first identified by E. Brandenburg in 1901. The monument is quiet weathered, and the figure in the middle of the niche, presumably the mother goddess Matar, was destroyed, and a cross mark was engraved instead. There is an Old Phrygian inscription (W‑02) on the flattened rock surface over the pitched roof of the façade. The monument is dated to the mid-6th century BCE. On the west side of the same rock, there is a rock church built during the Byzantine period. DeliklikayaIt is a rock that rises alone about 500 m north of Kümbet village. Although it is a part of the Roman necropolis, a tomb... --- ### Menekşe Kayalar Phrygian Inscriptions > Old Phrygian inscriptions W-11 and W-13 in Menekşe Kayalar - Published: 2025-01-15 - Modified: 2025-02-06 - URL: https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/menekse-inscriptions/ - Categories: Phrygian Inscriptions Inscription W-11 on Altar 2(Not to be confused with Brixhe W-11, for which see MPhr-01. )The inscription is on the horizontal part of the platform, in front of the semi-circular idol. There are three dextroversial lines of writing, the last one apparently shorter. yagauatataẹ? e Inscription W-13It is on the same rocks with the altars of Menekşe Kayalar. The highly eroded dextroverse inscription is discovered by Tüfekçi-Sivas on a flattened rock wall that has several small stylized niche remains on it. pẹ/ḷi m? or pẹ/ḷi n? References:Berndt, D. 2019. 'Midas City in Phrygia: Small Horizontal Reliefs Between Idols and Step Monuments', in Phrygia in Antiquity: From the Bronze Age to the Byzantine Period, ed. G. R. Tsetskhladze, Colloquia Antiqua 24, 501-524. Brixhe, C. & T. Tüfekçi-Sivas. 2002. 'Dédicace paléo-phrygienne inédite (Menekşekaya/Demirli)', Kadmos 41, 103–116. Brixhe, C. & T. Tüfekçi-Sivas. 2003. 'Exploration de l'ouest de la Phrygie: nouveaux documents Paleo-Phrygiens', Kadmos 42, 65-76. Obrador-Cursach, B. 2018.  Lexicon of the Phrygian Inscriptions, Thesis, Barcelona. References:D. Berndt, 2019 --- ### Karkamış Phrygian Inscription > Old Phrygian inscription HP-01 from Karkamış - Published: 2025-01-15 - Modified: 2025-02-06 - URL: https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/karkamis/ - Categories: Phrygian Inscriptions Inscription HP-01The inscription was first noticed by P. Meriggi on a stone fragment in Karkamış among the orthostat fragments, but it was first published by Börker-Klahn in 1994. It is a one-word (six-letter) Old Phrygian inscription that is written sinistroverse. The orthostat fragment is dated to 850 BCE, but the inscription has been dated to a later time, possibly in the last quarter of the 8th century BCE. The inscription was first noticed by P. Meriggi on a stone fragment in Karkamış among the orthostat fragments, but it was first published by Börker-Klahn in 1994. It is a one-word (six-letter) Old Phrygian inscription that is written sinistroverse. The orthostat fragment is dated to 850 BCE, but the inscription has been dated to a later time possibly in the last quarter of the 8th century BCE.    ←     atatas References:Börker-Klähn, J. 1994, 'Ein Phryger in Kargamiš', Altorientalische Forschungen 21, 1, 198Obrador-Cursach, B. 2018.  Lexicon of the Phrygian Inscriptions, Thesis, Barcelona. --- ### Midas Monument Inscriptions (M-01)  > Old Phrygian Inscriptions M-01 on Midas Monument in Yazılıkaya - Published: 2025-01-15 - Modified: 2025-02-06 - URL: https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/m01/ - Categories: Phrygian Inscriptions Inscription M-01aIt is engraved on the upper left part of the facade and written dextroverse (from left to right), starting from the left corner level of the pediment and curving towards the akroterion. The name of King Midas is read here. Ates ⁝ arkiaevais ⁞ akenanogavos ⁞ midai ⁞ lavagtaei ⁞ vanaktei ⁝ edaes ‘Attes the son of Archias, the akenanogavas, made (it) for Midas the leader (and) the king. ’ Inscription M-01bThe dextroverse line is on the right side of the frame of the monument and written laterally in the space between the decoration and the edge of the frame. baba ⁞ memevais ⁞ proitavos ⁝ k𐌘iyanaveyos ⁝ si keneman ⁝ edaes ‘Baba the son of Meme(s), the proitavos, the k𐌘iyanaveyos, made this niche. ’ Inscription M-01cInside the central niche of the monument, on the left wall, there are two adjacent inscriptions. matẹṛ. .  atatas ṃ? onokaua Inscription M-01d There are several inscriptions inside the central niche of the monument, on the right wall. Two inscriptions are readable, but more traces and some letters are visible at the lowest part. I ← midas ← s⸗materan ← tvemes eneparkes? II← matera← avi (III)← a b? . nm... . (I) 'Midas engraved this Mother-Goddes tvemes. ' Inscription M-01eIt is on the socle to the right of the central niche... ao. . mạteṛey . ag? a ... Inscription M-01fIt is inside a niche in the rock wall to the left of the façade. It starts from the left wall of the niche and continues on its back and right wall. . as ⁞ tuave|niy ⁞ ae ⁞ esuryoyoy ⁞ totin ⁞ ẹḍaẹ 'X-as ... made this present/offering. ' References:Brixhe,... --- ### Inscription M-02 on King's Road > Old Phrygian Inscriptions M-02 on the King's Road in Yazılıkaya - Published: 2025-01-15 - Modified: 2025-02-06 - URL: https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/m02/ - Categories: Phrygian Inscriptions It is carved on an outcrop on the bedrock that stands on the left of the ramped road (King's Road) that ascends to the plateau.  This inscription is thought to be contemporaneous with M-01b (575-550 BCE). It is written boustrophedon, and the first line is dextroverse. → bba ⁝ memevais ⁝ proitavo,← k𐊁iyanaveyos ⁝ akaragayun→ edaes 'Baba the son of Meme(s), the proitavos, the k𐊁iyanaveyos, made the akaragayun. ' References:Brixhe, C. & M. Lejeune. 1984.  Corpus des inscriptions paléo-phrygiennes, Paris. Obrador-Cursach, B. 2018.  Lexicon of the Phrygian Inscriptions, Thesis, Barcelona. Image Sources:Bora Bilgin, 2020 --- ### Inscription M-03 > Old Phrygian inscription M-03 on the stepped altar 27 in Midas City - Published: 2025-01-15 - Modified: 2025-02-06 - URL: https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/m03/ - Categories: Phrygian Inscriptions The inscription is engraved on a projection above the stepped altar 27 in Midas City. The dextroverse line is mutilated on the left, on the right, and at the top. abas iṃaṇ akio References:Brixhe, C. & M. Lejeune. 1984.  Corpus des inscriptions paléo-phrygiennes, Paris. Obrador-Cursach, B. 2018.  Lexicon of the Phrygian Inscriptions, Thesis, Barcelona. Image Sources:Ertuğrul Anıl, 2020 --- ### Inscription M-04 on the Throne Monument > Old Phrygian inscription M-04 on the altar 28 in Midas City - Published: 2025-01-15 - Modified: 2025-02-06 - URL: https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/m04/ - Categories: Phrygian Inscriptions It is a two-line inscription carved on the stepped altar 28, so-called the Throne Monument, in Midas City. The upper line is written dextroverse, and the lower line is sinistroverse.   ạkinanogavaṇ ⁞ tiyesmoḍroṿanak ⁞ avarạ References:Brixhe, C. & M. Lejeune. 1984.  Corpus des inscriptions paléo-phrygiennes, Paris. Obrador-Cursach, B. 2018.  Lexicon of the Phrygian Inscriptions, Thesis, Barcelona. Image Sources:D. Berndt, 2002 --- ### Inscription M-05 > Old Phrygian inscription M-05 on the broken monument in Midas City - Published: 2025-01-15 - Modified: 2025-02-06 - URL: https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/m05/ - Categories: Phrygian Inscriptions The sinistroverse inscription is on the remains of the rock-cut pediment of the Broken Monument in Midas City.    apelan (uac. ) mekas tevanọ * uac. Empty space. (Possibly due to a natural hole on the rock. ) References:Brixhe, C. & M. Lejeune. 1984.  Corpus des inscriptions paléo-phrygiennes, Paris. Obrador-Cursach, B. 2018.  Lexicon of the Phrygian Inscriptions, Thesis, Barcelona. Image Sources:Bora Bilgin, 2020 --- ### Inscription M-06 > Old Phrygian inscription M-06 on stepped altar 14 in Midas City - Published: 2025-01-15 - Modified: 2025-02-06 - URL: https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/m06/ - Categories: Phrygian Inscriptions It is carved on the stepped altar 14 in Midas City. There is a two-line inscription, and both lines are sinistroverse.    ṛekun ⁝ deiatiteeạ. ? davoi iman References:Brixhe, C. & M. Lejeune. 1984.  Corpus des inscriptions paléo-phrygiennes, Paris. Obrador-Cursach, B. 2018.  Lexicon of the Phrygian Inscriptions, Thesis, Barcelona. Image Sources:D. Berndt, 2002 --- ### Inscription M-07 > Old Phrygian inscription M-07 in Midas City - Published: 2025-01-15 - Modified: 2025-02-06 - URL: https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/m07/ - Categories: Phrygian Inscriptions It is a single-word dextroverse inscription engraved on the underside of a vault at the deep end of the cave which is accessed by rock stairs at the north east of Midas plateau. It was discovered by Haspels in 1938.    tolos References:Brixhe, C. & M. Lejeune. 1984.  Corpus des inscriptions paléo-phrygiennes, Paris. Obrador-Cursach, B. 2018.  Lexicon of the Phrygian Inscriptions, Thesis, Barcelona. --- ### Inscription M-08 > Old Phrygian inscription M-08 in Midas City - Published: 2025-01-15 - Modified: 2025-02-04 - URL: https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/m08/ - Categories: Phrygian Inscriptions The sinistroverse written inscription is engraved on the rock to the right of the road where the ancient road on the west side of the Midas City plateau cuts the rock deeply and ascends towards the southwest of the plateau.   ... ... ṣạbas References:Brixhe, C. & M. Lejeune. 1984.  Corpus des inscriptions paléo-phrygiennes, Paris. Obrador-Cursach, B. 2018.  Lexicon of the Phrygian Inscriptions, Thesis, Barcelona. --- ### Inscription M-09 > Old Phrygian inscription M-09 in Midas City - Published: 2025-01-15 - Modified: 2025-02-06 - URL: https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/m09/ - Categories: Phrygian Inscriptions The inscription is written on an architectural fragment that was found in 1913 in a ravine at the south of the Midas City plateau. The current whereabouts of the fragment are unknown. It is known only from a drawing that was done by Calder, who found the fragment. It is written dextroverse.   ạkeṇ? ano References:Brixhe, C. & M. Lejeune. 1984.  Corpus des inscriptions paléo-phrygiennes, Paris. Calder, W. M. 1926. 'Corpus Inscriptionum Neo-Phrygiarum III', The Journal of Hellenic Studies 46, 22-28Obrador-Cursach, B. 2018.  Lexicon of the Phrygian Inscriptions, Thesis, Barcelona. --- ### Inscription M-10 > Old Phrygian inscription M-10 in Midas City - Published: 2025-01-15 - Modified: 2025-02-05 - URL: https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/m10/ - Categories: Phrygian Inscriptions The dextroverse inscription is engraved on a block of stone that was found by G. Toklu in 1970 in the Midas City during a cleaning operation. The stone is kept at the Eskişehir Museum. gen ⁝ or ṭen ⁝ References:Brixhe, C. & M. Lejeune. 1984.  Corpus des inscriptions paléo-phrygiennes, Paris. Obrador-Cursach, B. 2018.  Lexicon of the Phrygian Inscriptions, Thesis, Barcelona. --- ### Inscription M-11 > Old Phrygian inscription M-11 in Midas City - Published: 2025-01-15 - Modified: 2025-02-06 - URL: https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/m11/ - Categories: Phrygian Inscriptions About 20 meters north of Altar 32 is a single line dextroverse inscription on the upper edge of a flattened surface of a rock. Due to weathering, the inscription is difficult to see with the naked eye. It was first noticed in 2002 by the Midas city guide/guard Veysel Gündoğdu and subsequently examined and published by Brixhe and Tüfekçi-Sivas.    ṣ ẹṣtạẹṣ '... erected. ' References:Brixhe, C. & Tüfekçi-Sivas, T. 2003. 'Exploration de l'ouest de la Phrygie: nouveaux documents Paleo-Phrygiens', Kadmos 42, 65-76. Obrador-Cursach, B. 2018.  Lexicon of the Phrygian Inscriptions, Thesis, Barcelona. Image Sources:C. Brixhe & T. Tüfekçi-Sivas, 2003 --- ### Areyastis Phrygian Inscriptions - Published: 2025-01-15 - Modified: 2025-02-06 - URL: https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/areyastis-inscriptions/ - Categories: Phrygian Inscriptions Inscription W-01aIt consists of three lines surrounding the triangular pediment. The lower horizontal line (I), including also the three letters that are incised on the right adjacent rock wall, is written dextroverse (from left to right). The two upper lines (II and III) are written sinistroverse (from right to left). II  ←III ←I   → materan ⁝ areyastinbonok ⁝ akenanogavọṣvrekun ⁝ tedatoy ⁝ yos tutut ... ạ. m. noy ⁝ akenanogavos | aey 'Bonok, the akenanogavos, made this Mother-Goddess as his idol? . Whoever ... ' Inscription W-01bIt has two lines on the main rock above the monument. The lower one is written dextroverse, and the upper one is sinistroverse (boustrophedon with a dextroverse start). → yos esait ⁝ materey ⁝ eveteksetẹ? y ⁝ ovevin ⁝ onoman ⁝ da𐊵et ⁝ la-← kedo key ⁝ venavtun ⁝ avtay ⁝ materey 'Whoever puts his own name in this Mother eveteksetẹ? y, let him be took by the Mother‑Goddess herself. ' Inscriptions W-01cThe third one is written on the side of the natural frame of the façade, from top to bottom. At the bottom, it turns ninety degrees to the façade surface. Therefore, the last letters are only visible from the front. ← ataniyen ⁝ kuryaneon ⁝ ta|n egertoy'Ataniyen the ruler X-ed it. ' References:Brixhe, C. & M. Lejeune. 1984.  Corpus des inscriptions paléo-phrygiennes, Paris. Obrador-Cursach, B. 2018.  Lexicon of the Phrygian Inscriptions, Thesis, Barcelona. --- ### Göynüş Valley Phrygian Inscriptions > Old Phrygian inscriptions in Göynüş Valley - Published: 2025-01-15 - Modified: 2025-02-06 - URL: https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/goynus-inscriptions/ - Categories: Phrygian Inscriptions Inscription W-04 on Altar 2It is engraved at the top of the niche. The right part has only one line, and it is written sinistroverse. The left part has two short lines that are written boustrophedon. The central portion between two inscriptions may be eroded since the rock wall is quite friable at that part.    ←→ matar kubileya toy-en  Inscription W-05a on Maltaş MonumentIt is located on the outer edge of the left frame surrounding the façade wall and written sideways from right to left (sinistroverse). Today only the upper part is over the ground level. It may have been left unfinished. natimeyon nạ Inscription W-05b on Maltaş MonumentThe second inscription is written dextroverse on the upper frame of the niche section, which is completely under the ground today. nstdaes por mạtẹ'... made (it) for the Mother-Goddess... ' References:Brixhe, C. & M. Lejeune. 1984.  Corpus des inscriptions paléo-phrygiennes, Paris. Obrador-Cursach, B. 2018.  Lexicon of the Phrygian Inscriptions, Thesis, Barcelona. Image Sources:Bora Bilgin, 2020Tayfun Bilgin, 2020 --- ### Çepni Phrygian Inscriptions - Published: 2025-01-15 - Modified: 2025-02-06 - URL: https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/cepni/ - Categories: Phrygian Inscriptions Three Old Phrygian inscriptions were found in 1982 near the Çepni village of Ayfonkarahisar by Thomas Drew-Bear on three separate rocks in close proximity. All the inscriptions are shallowly engraved.   Inscription W-08A 4-line inscription is written on the southeast-facing flattened surface of a rock called Gelincik Rock, about three meters above the ground. The first, third, and fourth lines are dextroverse, and the second one is sinistroverse (thus partially boustrophedon).   →←→← ates agomoisa⚲? ta tedaesalus si𐊁eto? bateles bab. 'Attes made the sa⚲? ta for Agomos... ' Inscription W-09A 2-line inscription is written on the east-facing flattened surface of a small rock near the top of Büyük Ay Hill. It is the shortest one among the three inscriptions found in Çepni. Both lines are written dextroverse. si𐊁eto aealus Inscription W-10It is on the southeast-facing flattened surface of a rock near a location called Gencel Yatağı. The 3-line inscription is written in boustrophedon, starting dextroverse. ←→← ạtai edae lel/ravovi𐊁e atevo atoios,alụs si𐊁eto das References:Brixhe, C. & T. Drew-Bear. 1982. 'Trois nouvelles inscriptions Paléo-Phrygiennes de Çepni', Kadmos 21, 64-87. Brixhe, C. & M. Lejeune. 1984.  Corpus des inscriptions paléo-phrygiennes, Paris. Obrador-Cursach, B. 2018.  Lexicon of the Phrygian Inscriptions, Thesis, Barcelona. Image Sources: C. Brixhe & T. Drew-Bear, 1982 --- ### Fındık Valley Phrygian Inscriptions > Old Phrygian inscriptions W-06 and W07 in Fındık valley - Published: 2025-01-15 - Modified: 2025-02-06 - URL: https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/findik-inscriptions/ - Categories: Phrygian Inscriptions Inscription W-06 on Facade 2The highly weathered inscription is above the right side of the pediment and written in sinistroverse. matạṛ '... the Mother-Goddess... ' Inscription W-07 on Niche 3It is on the upper part of the niche frame and written in dextroverse. The left part is highly weathered. ṭ ⁝ ṇ ẹsagas ⁝ akenạṣ References:Brixhe, C. & M. Lejeune. 1984.  Corpus des inscriptions paléo-phrygiennes, Paris. Obrador-Cursach, B. 2018.  Lexicon of the Phrygian Inscriptions, Thesis, Barcelona. --- ### Tyana (Kemerhisar) Phrygian Inscriptions > Old Phrygian inscriptions T-01, T-02, and T-03 from Tyana (Kemerhisar) - Published: 2025-01-15 - Modified: 2025-02-06 - URL: https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/tyana/ - Categories: Phrygian Inscriptions Since the end of the 19th century, several Old Phrygian inscriptions have been found in Kemerhisar by various researchers. The inscribed fragments are treated under three separate groups (T-01, T-02, and T-03). All fragments are made of the same black basalt stone and thus all might belong to the same monument, but so far no supporting evidence has been found. All have been dated to the late 8th century BCE. Inscription T-01The two pieces of black stones with inscriptions (T-01a and T-01b) were found in 1895 by J. I. Smirnov in Kemerhisar (ancient Tyana / Tuwanuwa). The first publication about the inscriptions is done by Pridik using the drawings of Smirnov. The two fragments that are lost today were probably from the same monument. The stones are dated to the last quarter of the 8th century BCE. T-01a: The stone is broken on all sides, and only a single line of sinistroverse inscription is visible. ← ekạ? T-01b: The stone is broken on all sides, and only a section of a 3-line boustrophedon inscription is visible. → sid. ← . leṇ? ⁝ it→ p̣onani ⁝ Inscription T-02Several inscribed fragments of a basalt stele were found by different researchers in 1906 and 1907. Although it is thought that they all may belong to the same monument with T-01, they were evaluated as three separate inscriptions (T-02a, T-02b, and T-02c). Like T-01, the fate of these inscriptions is also unknown. T-02a: There is an inscription that only 3 lines can be seen.... --- ### Göynüş (former Köhnüş) Valley - Published: 2025-01-15 - Modified: 2025-02-06 - URL: https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/goynus/ - Categories: Phrygian Monuments Göynüş Valley, full of volcanic tuff rocks, extends in the north-south direction near Kayıhan town in the district of İhsaniye in Afyonkarahisar. The area was a Phrygian settlement, and there are many rock tombs, façades, niches, and altars built on tuff rocks. Maltaş (Malkaya) MonumentThe monument is located on one of the Akkuşyuvası rocks, which borders the valley from the west. It is approximately 750 m south of the Aslantaş tomb. Maltaş is a shaft monument like Değirmen Yeri, Bahşayiş, and Deliklitaş monuments. Most of the monument is buried in the ground. In 1881 W. M. Ramsay found the monument almost completely covered with earth, and with the help of workers, he dug it out only to a certain level. Although the soil in front of the monument was removed during the excavations of Gabriel (1936), Haspels (1950), and Brixhe (1970), having encountered groundwater each time it was refilled with soil again to protect the monument from water damage. Finally, the entire monument was unearthed by the excavations started in 2021. During the excavations, remains of some buildings were found in the 300 square meter area opened in front of the monument. There are two inscriptions (W‑05) on it. The first inscription is located on the outer edge of the left frame surrounding the façade wall. The upper part of this inscription is still visible today over the ground level. The second inscription is written from left to right on the upper frame of the niche section. Gabriel mentions a possible third inscription on... --- ### Doğanlı Valley > Doğanlı Kale, Deveboynu Kale and Hamamkaya Rock Tomb - Published: 2025-01-15 - Modified: 2025-02-06 - URL: https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/doganli/ - Categories: Phrygian Monuments Doğanlı Kale and Deveboynu Kale are two fortresses located on a rocky plateau, approximately 1. 5 km northwest of Çukurca village in the valley, quite high from the valley floor. Deveboynu Kale is situated on the edge of a rocky slope. There are two typical Phrygian rock tombs on the northwest side of the rock. Doğanlı Kale was built on a single rock that lies about 50 m west of Deveboynu Kale. Almost all of the seven floors carved into the rock belong to the Byzantine period. It looks like a typical Byzantine castle, but it is believed that the site was already in use during the Phrygian period on account of its strategic location controlling the valley. Hamamkaya Rock TombIt is located 500 m north of a Hellenistic period rock tomb named Gerdekkaya, near the Çukurca Village. The tomb is carved into the north face of a volcanic rock mass. It consists of two chambers in a row. The second chamber is a later addition. The rock surface below the ledge outside the entrance to the first tomb has been smoothed for a shallow relief decoration. Although much weathered, according to Haspels, the original work was rough in details. Per Haspels, the scene on the left represents a man facing right and fighting an animal. For the same figures, Ramsay suggested a fight between two horses, while Anderson (apud Haspels) saw only two horses. To the right of the relief panel, on the side post, are two small cloaked figures in relief, facing... --- ### Demirli - Menekşe Kayalar - Published: 2025-01-15 - Modified: 2025-02-06 - URL: https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/demirli/ - Categories: Phrygian Monuments Façade and NicheIt is a small façade carved on a pointy rock, 200 m northeast of the Menekşe Kayalar (Violet Rocks), 500 m south of Demirli village of İhsaniye district of Afyonkarahisar. It was discovered by T. Tüfekçi-Sivas in 1995. The façade is built on the northeastern face of the rock and is quite weathered. Only its contours are visible. About 100 m southeast of this façade, there is a rectangular-shaped niche carved on a rock wall. A simple gable is incised above the niche. On the roughly flat top of this rock block, there is a large hole with an overflow channel that directs just above the niche. Nearby, there are further rock-cut hollows with overflow channels. Altars in Menekşe KayalarThere are four altars found on Menekşe Kayalar, 500 m south of Demirli village. All of the altars are on the eastern slope. Three of them are grouped side by side and face the east direction. The fourth altar faces south. There is a 3-line Old Phrygian inscription (W‑11) on the Altar 2. Altar 1Altars 2, 3 & 4Demirli KaleIt is a Phrygian fortress built on a natural rocky elevation near Demirli village of İhsaniye district. It was used as a settlement in the Byzantine period. References:Berndt, D. 2019. 'Midas City in Phrygia: Small Horizontal Reliefs Between Idols and Step Monuments', in Phrygia in Antiquity: From the Bronze Age to the Byzantine Period, ed. G. R. Tsetskhladze, Colloquia Antiqua 24, 501-524. Berndt-Ersöz, S. 2006.  Phrygian Rock–Cut Shrines. Structure, Function and... --- ### Midas City > Midas City Kale in Phrygian Highlands - Published: 2025-01-15 - Modified: 2025-02-06 - URL: https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/midascity/ - Categories: Phrygian Monuments It is located at the southern end of Yazılıkaya Valley, just west of Yazılıkaya village. It was built on a plateau, which consists of high and steep tuff rocks. The four fortresses, Akpara Kale, Pişmiş Kale, Gökgöz Kale, and Kocabaş Kale, which are located on northern and eastern hills, protect the Phrygian settlement by controlling the roads reaching the valley from the east and north. The Midas City plateau is about 650 m long and 320 m wide. The height from the ground level of the valley is about 60–70 m. The plateau is surrounded by rocks like a natural wall. In the Phrygian period, it is suspected that there were walls on top and between the gaps of the rocks that surrounded the plateau, but today there are almost no remnants of the walls. The main entrance of the city is in the east direction. The ramped road that ascends the plateau is carved on the bedrock and is referred to as King's Road. There are some reliefs carved on rock walls alongside the road. The most important structures on the plateau are the monumental rock-cut stepped altars, two rock tunnels covered with vaults, and cisterns carved into the rock on the lower terrace in the southwest direction. In the steep volcanic rocks surrounding the settlement, there are many chamber tombs and cult structures consisting of monumental scale façades, stepped altars, and niches. The settlement had been upgraded to a privileged location in Phrygia, equipped with religious monuments, many... --- ### Aslankaya Phrygian Inscription > Old Phrygian Inscription W-03 on Aslankaya Monument - Published: 2025-01-15 - Modified: 2025-02-06 - URL: https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/aslankaya-inscription/ - Categories: Phrygian Inscriptions Inscription W-03The inscription was engraved on the main beam under the pediment of the Aslankaya façade. It was written dextroverse (from right to left) but is hardly visible due to heavy weathering.    ṭmat ṃateran⁝ạan References:Haspels, C. H. E. 1971.  The Highlands of Phrygia. Sites and Monuments, Princeton. Munn, M. 2024. 'The Phrygian inscription W-03 on the Arslan Kaya monument', Kadmos 63(1/2), 79-72. Image Sources:C. H. E. Haspels, 1971Tayfun Bilgin, 2020 --- ### Gökçegüney (Tonra) > Gökçegüney (Tonra Patlak) Phrygian rock facade - Published: 2025-01-15 - Modified: 2025-02-06 - URL: https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/gokceguney/ - Categories: Phrygian Monuments The small Phrygian façade of Gökçegüney no longer exists. According to the information provided by A. Gabriel and E. Haspels, it used to be on the western slope of the rocky hill called Nızıllı Tepe, west of the village road between Gökçegüney (old name Tonra) and Yazılıkaya villages. The monument is called "Tonra Patlak" in old references. The first mention of the monument is by Gabriel, but Haspels made its detailed examination and drawings in the 1960s. The rock façade was completely destroyed in the following years. It was a small (h: 0. 62 m x w: 0. 72 m) façade on a 4. 5 m high rock. On the pediment, undecorated rafters, tie beams, and a king post were visible. The acroter was formed by two opposing circles, but only the contours were clear. There was a 34 cm high narrow niche with a hollow bottom, most likely used to place a statue of the mother goddess.  References:Berndt-Ersöz, S. 2006.  Phrygian Rock-Cut Shrines. Structure, Function and Cult Practice, Leiden. Gabriel, A. 1952.  Phrygie, exploration archéologique 2. La Cité de Midas: topographie, le site et les fouilles, Paris. Haspels, C. H. E. 1971 The Highlands of Phrygia. Sites and Monuments, Princeton. Haspels, C. H. E. 2009.  I am the Last of the Travellers, Midas City Excavation and Surveys in the Highlands of Phrygia, (Ed. D. Berndt with contributions by H. Çambel), İstanbul. Tüfekçi-Sivas, T. 1999 Eskişehir-Afyonkarahisar- Kütahya İl Sınırları İçindeki Phryg Kaya Anıtları, Anadolu Üniversitesi Yayınları No:1156, Eskişehir. Image sources:C. H. E. Haspels,... --- ### Dübecik Kale > Dübecik Kale is a small Phrygian outpost in the Phrygian Highlands. - Published: 2025-01-15 - Modified: 2025-02-06 - URL: https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/dubecik/ - Categories: Phrygian Monuments Dübecik Kale is a small watchtower or outpost located 10 km south-southeast of Yapıldak Asar Kale, on a rock plateau surrounded by forested hills. There are several tombs from Phrygian and Roman periods carved into the rocks. The two-room tomb (D-F) on the west side was created by combining two separate burial chambers, with their entrances on the north and south sides of the rock, respectively. The one on the north face was probably built during the Phrygian period, and the second one was added later, in the Roman period. Another Phrygian tomb (G) is located in the middle of the north face of the rock. The tomb chambers were built with a pitched roof in the form of a typical Phrygian house. These tombs were reprocessed and used in the Roman period.  References:Haspels, C. H. E. 1971.  The Highlands of Phrygia. Sites and Monuments, Princeton. Image sources:C. H. E. Haspels, 1971Ertuğrul Anıl, 2021Bora Bilgin, 2021Tayfun Bilgin, 2021Reha Özer, 2021 --- ### Areyastis (Arezastis) > Areyastis (or Arezastis) Monument is a Phrygian rock facade. - Published: 2025-01-15 - Modified: 2025-02-06 - URL: https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/areyastis/ - Categories: Phrygian Monuments Areyastis Monument is a large Phrygian façade located 1. 7 km north of Yazılıkaya village, on one of the rocks about 130 m away from the road between Yazılıkaya and Çukurca. Across the road to the east, Phrygian fortresses Gökgöz Kale and Pişmiş Kale are located on round top rock plateaus. The name of the monument was given because of the word "Areyastin" written in the Phrygian inscription on it. (The plain form of the word is Areyastis. It is thought to be an adjective used for the mother goddess Matar. Some researchers have adopted the reading of Arezastis). Locally, it is also known as Küçük (Small) Yazılıkaya or Hasanbey Rock. It is the best preserved of the Phrygian monumental façades. Although it was first noticed by L. de Laborde in 1826, Texier was the person who gave a detailed description and produced an engraving of the monument in 1834. The monument is 5. 50 m high and 4. 20 m wide. Its roof has a triangular pediment with an akroterion in the shape of two semicircles. There are rectangular frame reliefs on each side of the king post in the pediment. The nearly square-shaped façade wall is surrounded by two embossed frames. The frames are decorated with an array of ornaments consisting of square panels placed at regular intervals. Unlike classical façade architecture that places the niche at the bottom, here is a small niche just below the upper frame. The absence of a classical niche and the lack... --- ### Kırkinler - Published: 2025-01-15 - Modified: 2025-02-06 - URL: https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/kirkinler/ - Categories: Phrygian Monuments The Phrygian rock niche was discovered in the Kırkinler locality, near the Seydiler village of İscehisar town. It is located in a rocky site on the upper part of a Byzantine rock church on a steep rock mass. There was a female relief (possibly mother goddess Matar) in a rectangular shallow niche on the side of a steep and high rock stair leading to the top of the rock spaces. The upper part of the niche and relief is destroyed by treasure hunters, possibly around the 2010s. There was a second relief of a woman in a small niche 10 m north of the first one. The woman was depicted from the front with her high polos and long clothes. Unfortunately, this second relief is also completely destroyed by treasure hunters. References:Tüfekçi-Sivas, T. & H. Sivas. 2003. 'Eskişehir, Kütahya, Afyonkarahisar illeri yüzey araştırması arkeolojik envanter raporu', TÜBA-TÜKSEK Kültür envanteri dergisi/Journal of cultural inventory 1, 2–32. Tüfekçi-Sivas, T. & H. Sivas. 2004. '2002 Yılı Eskişehir, Kütahya, Afyonkarahisar illeri yüzey araştırması', in AST 21:2, Ankara, 155–166. Image sources:T. Tüfekçi-Sivas & H. Sivas, 2003T. Tüfekçi-Sivas & H. Sivas, 2004Bora Bilgin, 2021 --- ### Büyük Kapıkaya - Published: 2025-01-15 - Modified: 2025-02-06 - URL: https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/buyukkapikaya/ - Categories: Phrygian Monuments Büyük Kapıkaya (Big Gaterock) Monument is a Phrygian façade located 6 km southeast of Döğer town in Afyonkarahisar and 1. 8 km southeast of the Aslankaya Monument. It is on a rock outcrop about 50 m north of Döğer - Üçlerkayası road. The flattened front face of the rock, where the niche is located, is decorated with geometric patterns that can only be seen in suitable light because of weathering. In comparison to other façades, it lacks a pediment, but an akroterion is visible above the niche. Due to these decorations on the façade, locally it is called Halılı Kaya (Carpeted Rock). The monument was seriously damaged by treasure hunters in 1996. The goddess relief in the middle of the niche was detonated with dynamite, and a large hole was dug into the rock. There is a 7-step altar about 15 m northwest of the monument, although most of the steps are eroded. The combination of the façade and altar suggests that this place was used as a sacred location. Büyük Kapıkaya monument is dated to the second half of the 6th century BCE; the altar may be older. References:Berndt-Ersöz, S. 2006.  Phrygian Rock–Cut Shrines. Structure, Function and Cult Practice, Leiden. Haspels, C. H. E. 1971.  The Highlands of Phrygia. Sites and Monuments, Princeton. Haspels, C. H. E. 2009.  I am the Last of the Travellers, Midas City Excavation and Surveys in the Highlands of Phrygia, (Ed. D. Berndt with contributions by H. Çambel), İstanbul. Tamsü, R. 2004.  Phryg Kaya Altarları, (Eskişehir-... --- ### Kilise Façade - Published: 2025-01-15 - Modified: 2025-02-06 - URL: https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/kilise/ - Categories: Phrygian Monuments Kilise façade monument is located on the rocky hill overlooking Porsuk Stream, 2. 8 km west of Yenisofça village, and 25 km southwest of the city of Eskişehir. There are rock-cut tombs on the same rock that were used in the Phrygian and Hellenistic periods. It is named Kilise (church) by the locals because of the crosses engraved on these tomb chambers. It was discovered by A. Körte during surveys conducted between 1894 and 1895. The façade monument is highly weathered and eroded. Only the roof and the niche parts are visible today. Furthermore, there is a hole in the middle of the akroterion opened by treasure seekers. Altars in Hasırcı Çiftliği Hasırcı Çiftliği (Hasırcı Farm) is located on a rocky area approximately 2 km southwest of Yenisofça village. In the farmland, there are both Roman and Byzantine period tombs built in the low-lying rock masses. There are two Phrygian altars identified on two rock masses close to each other. One of the altars has steps and a niche at the top of the rock and also a chamber tomb carved into the rock at the bottom. The second one with steps and an idol is on a nearby rock. The idol on the second altar has been destroyed after 2003. References:Berndt-Ersöz, S. 2006.  Phrygian Rock–Cut Shrines. Structure, Function and Cult Practice, Leiden. Brandenburg, E. 1906. 'Neue Untersuchungen im Gebiet der phrygischen Felsenfassaden', Abhandlungen der historischen Klasse der königlich Bayerischen Akademie der Wissenschaften 23, 633–716. Haspels, C. H. E. 1971 The Highlands of... --- ### Bahşayiş - Published: 2025-01-15 - Modified: 2025-02-06 - URL: https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/bahsayis/ - Categories: Phrygian Monuments Bahşayiş Monument is a Phrygian façade located on the rocky slope on the west bank of the Kocadere stream, 1 km southwest of Gökbahçe village in the Seyitgazi district of Eskişehir. It was first discovered in 1837 by J. R. Steuart. The monument takes this name from the old name of Gökbahçe village. The locals call it the Bahşiş (Tipping) Fountain despite the fact that it is not a fountain. Indeed, the monument looks more like a three-dimensional building than a façade when viewed from the side with its slightly outwardly gable roof and side walls. Bahşayiş façade is a shaft monument like the Maltaş, Değirmen Yeri, and Deliklitaş monuments. The shaft is 4. 5 m deep. The decorations on the lower part of the façade wall and the floor of the niche gate are quite worn out. Deep cracks starting from the bedrock split the monument horizontally into two parts. On the same slope, 10 m southeast of the monument, there are two other carved large rock blocks with their carefully flattened surfaces. Their three-dimensional shapes are similar to Bahşayiş Monument. The work on them appears to have been left incomplete. There are also some rock-cut steps in the rock behind one of the blocks. Bahşayiş Monuments is estimated to date to the Late Phrygian period (550-300 BCE). References:Berndt-Ersöz, S. 2006.  Phrygian Rock–Cut Shrines. Structure, Function and Cult Practice, Leiden. Berndt-Ersöz, S. 1998. 'Phrygian Rock-Cut Cult Façades: A Study of the Function of the So-Called Shaft Monuments', Anatolian Studies 48, 87–112. Haspels, C. H. E. 1971.... --- ### Küçük Kapıkaya > Küçük Kapıkaya is a Phrygian rock façade - Published: 2025-01-15 - Modified: 2025-02-06 - URL: https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/kucukkapikaya/ - Categories: Phrygian Monuments The façade is 2. 7 km southeast of Döğer town in the İhsaniye district of Afyonkarahisar. It is carved on one of the rock masses about 300 m from the road between Döğer and Üçlerkayası village. Another Phrygian monument, Aslankaya, is located on the same road, 1. 3 km ahead in the Üçlerkayası direction. Küçük Kapıkaya (Small Gaterock) monument was discovered in 1896 by F. von Reber. The façade is carved on the north side of the rock. Its rectangular niche contains a mother goddess relief. The monuments suffered serious damage on multiple occasions by treasure hunters using dynamite. The broken piece of the roof and façade lies right next to the monument. The façade wall was completely cracked due to explosions. It is one of the most obvious examples of the damage caused by embarrassingly ignorant minds. The platform in front of the Küçük Kapıkaya façade is reached by three gradually expanding steps. Taking into account that the use of steps is one of the basic features of Phrygian altars, Tüfekçi-Sivas states that this monument combines the functions of both an altar and a façade. It is estimated to be from the Middle Phrygian II period (600-550 BCE) or later. References:Berndt-Ersöz, S. 2006.  Phrygian Rock–Cut Shrines. Structure, Function and Cult Practice, Leiden. Haspels, C. H. E. 1971.  The Highlands of Phrygia. Sites and Monuments, Princeton. Tüfekçi-Sivas, T. 1999.  Eskişehir-Afyonkarahisar- Kütahya İl Sınırları İçindeki Phryg Kaya Anıtları, Anadolu Üniversitesi Yayınları No:1156, Eskişehir. Image sources:C. H. E. Haspels, 1971Ben Claasz Coockson, 2006, 2017 --- ### Aslankaya > Aslankaya rock façade is a Phrygian shrine monument - Published: 2025-01-15 - Modified: 2025-02-06 - URL: https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/aslankaya/ - Categories: Phrygian Monuments Aslankaya is a large Phrygian rock façade and is located 4 km southeast of the town of Döğer in the İhsaniye district of Afyonkarahisar. It was built on a single rock mass to the west of Döğer - Üçlerkayası road, about 1. 3 km east of the Küçük Kapıkaya monument. The monument was discovered in 1884 by W. M. Ramsay. The side faces of the pointy rock block were cut and leveled. The monument takes its name from the relief of a lion on its hind legs, looking towards the front, on the right side of the rock (Aslankaya-Lionrock). On the left side is the depiction of a four-legged animal in a much smaller size than the lion. Due to damage, it is difficult to identify the animal; different researchers describe it as a lion, griffon, or sphinx. Two winged sphinxes are depicted symmetrically on both sides of the central pillar on the roof. There is an Old Phrygian inscription (W‑03) on the main beam. Due to weathering, the inscription is hardly readable. The main façade under the roof is decorated with geometric patterns. Inside the niche on the left and right walls, there are the reliefs of two doors that give the appearance of two open door wings. The door shafts and the bolt on the right wing indicate that they were modeled like wooden doors. The high relief sculpture in the middle of the niche is most probably a mother goddess Matar depiction. There are lion reliefs on both sides... --- ### Kumcaboğaz Kapıkaya > Kumcaboğaz Kapıkaya Phrygian Monument - Published: 2025-01-15 - Modified: 2025-02-06 - URL: https://www.phrygianmonuments.com/kumcabogaz/ - Categories: Phrygian Monuments There were two monuments, a small façade and a stepped altar in Kumcaboğaz. They were located to the south of Göynüş Valley in Afyonkarahisar, about 1250 m south of the Maltaş Monument. Kumcaboğaz façade, called Kapıkaya (Gaterock), was worked on one of the low-lying rock masses spread around. There is an altar right next to it on another rock. They were discovered in 1883 by W. M. Ramsay and J. R. S. Sterrett. The entire rock of the Kumcaboğaz façade was cut like a cube. The rock block of the façade was completely destroyed around 2019/2020 and is not visible today. Even before the destruction, the relief in the niche in the middle of the façade was quite worn out, and the upper part of the head and body was broken. However, it could be guessed that this was a mother goddess Matar figure since the traces of her polos were still visible. It has been reported by previous researchers that there was a small niche on the back. However, the location of this niche was probably expanded by treasure hunters, and there was only a large gutter left. The other rock just next to this façade is still standing and is carved in the shape of a two-stepped altar. Behind the top step, there is a base-shaped protrusion. The monuments are dated to the middle of the 6th century BCE.   References:Berndt-Ersöz, S. 2006.  Phrygian Rock–Cut Shrines. Structure, Function and Cult Practice, Leiden. Haspels, C. H. E. 1971.  The Highlands... ---