The Lesser Phrygian Tumuli: Unveiling the Secrets of Ancient Cremations!

Hidden beneath the enchanting landscapes of ancient Phrygia lies a collection of burial mounds known as the Lesser Phrygian Tumuli. Within their depths, archaeologists have uncovered a treasure trove of history, shedding light on the funeral practices of a long-lost civilization. In this final report, Volume II focuses on the hauntingly intriguing cremations discovered within these tomb sites.

Spanning across a vast area in modern-day Turkey, the Phrygians, a mysterious people who inhabited the region in antiquity, built elaborate tumuli as burial grounds for their deceased. These monumental mounds, ranging in size from small hillocks to impressive earthen pyramids, functioned as sites of remembrance and reverence.

The Lesser Phrygian Tumuli, while not as grandiose as their larger counterparts, still hold immense archaeological value. They provide insight into the lives and beliefs of an ancient civilization that flourished from the 8th to the 6th century BCE. Unraveling the mysteries buried within these tumuli illuminates the Phrygians' attitudes towards death and the afterlife.

The Gordion Excavations, 1950-1973: Final Reports Volume II; The Lesser Phrygian Tumuli Part 2 The Cremations

by Elspeth R.M. Dusinberre(Kindle Edition)

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Language	:	English
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Among the variety of burial practices observed within the Lesser Phrygian Tumuli, the cremations stand out as an enigmatic phenomenon. The discovery of cremated remains in these funerary sites challenges the commonly held belief that Phrygians solely practiced inhumation.

Archaeologists have meticulously examined the cremated remains, studying the bones and artifacts present within the burial urns. These findings have unveiled important insights into the Phrygian cremation process and the rituals associated with it.

The Phrygian cremation process provided an insight into their religious beliefs and practices. The tombs contain evidence of complex ceremonies, where mourners would gather to bid farewell to their loved ones. The careful arrangement of artifacts surrounding the urns suggests that the Phrygians believed in an afterlife, where the deceased would require these items for their journey.

The presence of grave goods, such as jewelry, pottery, and tools, within the burial urns reveals the Phrygians' belief in an afterlife that resembled their earthly existence. It was a society that believed in a continuation of life beyond the grave, where individuals required material possessions to navigate the next realm.

The Greater Phrygian Tumuli, often associated with royalty and the elite, also contain evidence of cremations. However, in the Lesser Phrygian Tumuli, the cremated remains belong to a more diverse group of individuals, offering a glimpse into the lives of the common Phrygians.

Through careful analysis of the grave goods, archaeologists have been able to reconstruct the social fabric of the Phrygian civilization. By deciphering the types of artifacts present and their quality, researchers have identified the social status and wealth distribution within Phrygian society.

The findings in the Lesser Phrygian Tumuli challenge the prevailing notion that wealth and social status were exclusively concentrated in the hands of the Phrygian elite. Instead, they suggest a more egalitarian society where individuals of varying backgrounds were interred in similar tomb structures.

Furthermore, the presence of animal remains within the cremation burials offers insights into the Phrygians' relationship with animals. The Phrygians were known for their skilled horse breeding, and it is believed they held a strong connection with these majestic creatures. The inclusion of horse remains in the burial urns suggests that horses held a special place in the Phrygian afterlife, perhaps serving as companions for the deceased.

The Lesser Phrygian Tumuli represent an extraordinary journey through time, offering a window into the ancient world. The final reports of Volume II, focusing on the cremations within these humble burial mounds, provide a comprehensive understanding of the Phrygians' funeral traditions and beliefs.

By exploring the practices of an ancient civilization, we gain a greater appreciation for the diversity and richness of human history. The Lesser Phrygian Tumuli remind us that within the silent hills lie untold stories waiting to be uncovered, offering us a tantalizing glimpse into the secrets of the past.

Embark on this mesmerizing expedition into the world of the Phrygians, immerse yourself in their captivating burial rituals, and discover the remnants of a civilization lost in time. Brace yourself for a journey like no other, as we unravel the mysteries of the Lesser Phrygian Tumuli and explore the mesmerizing realm of ancient cremations.

The Gordion Excavations, 1950-1973: Final Reports Volume II; The Lesser Phrygian Tumuli Part 2 The Cremations

by Elspeth R.M. Dusinberre(Kindle Edition)

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	132 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	1000 pages

FREE

This volume contains the excavation report for 12 cremation burials from the Phrygian site of Gordion in central Anatolia. These tombs, dating from the later seventh century to the third quarter of the 6th century BCE, were excavated by The University Museum between 1950 and 1969, and by the German brothers Alfred and Gustav Körte in 1900. The processes for interment through construction of tumulus and cremation procedure are carefully detailed, followed by an analysis of associated finds. Two tumuli of the Hellenistic period, both covering stone chambers with inhumation burials within, are included in an appendix. Further appendices discuss other specific materials excavated from the cremation burials. A discussion of the contemporary inhumation and cremation tumulus burials at Gordion in the Phrygian period, highlighting their continuities and significant differences, forms part of the , as does discussion of sociocultural developments at Gordion between ca. 650-525 BCE as illuminated by the mortuary remains. The tumuli afford insights into questions related to gender, religion, adult/child identity, trade, social status, ethnicity, transcultural affiliations, ceramic developments, jewelry manufacture, high-status artifact display (including ivory),feasting behaviors, animal sacrifice, hero cult, and widespread "killing" of artifacts associated with the cremation burials.

This entirely new publication of Gordion's tumuli makes available at last the elite cremation burials of the later Middle and early Late Phrygian (Achaemenid) periods excavated by The University Museum. By including the two Körte tumuli, it provides a complete assemblage of the cremation tumuli at Gordion. They afford remarkable new insights into life, death, and an elaborate system of value at Gordion during this most turbulent century.