A team of archaeologists has uncovered a royal tomb in the ancient city of Gordion, Turkeyโbelieved to be the final resting place of a relative of the legendary King Midas. The discovery, announced by Turkeyโs Minister of Culture and Tourism, dates back to the 8th century BC and offers extraordinary insights into the powerful Phrygian kingdom.
Located southwest of Ankara, Gordion was once the capital of the Phrygian Empire, a civilization that flourished between 1200 and 675 BC. The site is historically tied to King Midas, famed in Greek mythology for his “golden touch.”
The excavation was led by a team of archaeologists who uncovered a large burial mound containing cremated remains and a trove of rare artifacts. Experts believe the individual buried here was a high-ranking member of the Phrygian eliteโpossibly a member of Midasโs own royal family.
“Based on the distinct characteristics of the objects found, we believe the tomb chamber may have belonged to a royal figure closely associated with Gordion and King Midas,” said Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, Minister of Culture and Tourism, at a press briefing on June 3, as reported by Anadolu Ajansฤฑ.
The newly discovered mound is the 47th to be excavated at Gordion. Measuring approximately 26 feet (8 meters) tall and 200 feet (60 meters) in diameter, it stands out not only for its size but also for containing the oldest known cremation at the siteโan important clue to the burial traditions of the Phrygians.
Gordionโs most famous burial site, known as the โMidas Mound,โ dates to around 740 BC and may hold the remains of Midasโs father, Gordiasโlegendary for the Gordian Knot, a riddle famously solved by Alexander the Great. That tomb featured a log coffin, fine purple textiles, and exquisitely crafted bronze artifacts, reflecting the wealth and artistic skill of the Phrygian court.
This latest find adds to the rich historical narrative of Gordion and deepens our understanding of the cultural and ceremonial practices of a civilization that once held immense power in the ancient world.
As excavations continue, researchers hope the tomb will yield further clues about Phrygian society, its royal lineage, and the myths that have long surrounded the enigmatic King Midas.
