مرکز منطقه ای اطلاع رساني علوم و فناوري - The Western and Northwestern Necropoleis of Phaselis

Abstract :

The ancient Mediterranean port-city of Phaselis attracts attention as an significant commercial hub with its three natural harbours. The city is located on the border between Lycia and Pamphylia. From the archaeological and epigraphic evidence, the numismatic finds and from the ancient sources, it is known that the city has been inhabited from the Archaic into the Eastern Roman Period. Modern research at Phaselis began in 1812 and this process continued with some intervals to the year 2000. Although the research undertaken presented some information concerning the history and settlement of the city, there has been any detailed research related to the necropoleis of Phaselis; which makes it obligatory to examine the tomb architecture and burial traditions of Phaselis, comparing the similarities and differences with the necropoleis of other ancient cities in the region. The city has three necopolis areas seperated from each other for various reasons. This study concerns the “Western and Northwestern the Necropolis areas” which have been defined as the intial points for necropolis research at the city. In this context, considering the evidence obtained from the past to the present day, this study shares some information, together with some comments, relating to the reflections of the burial tradition of the city in the tomb architecture, regarding the borders and positions of necropoleis in the city, and the identification and distribution of the types of tombs. This study also includes a map of this topography marking the distribution of the tombs in the Northwestern Necropolis.