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©The Archaeological Settlements of Turkey - TAY Project
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BT 89 Tümülüsü |
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For site maps and drawings please click on the picture...  |
For photographs please click on the photo...  |
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Type:
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Tumulus |
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Altitude:
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m |
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Region:
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Aegean |
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Province:
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Manisa |
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District:
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Salihli |
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Village:
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Investigation Method:
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Excavation |
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Period:
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Archaic |
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| Location: It lies on the "Salihli-Gölmarmara" road, 10 km east of Manisa, between the Gyges and Ardys tumuli. |
| Geography and Environment: |
| History: |
| Research and Excavation: It was excavated by the Museum of Manisa in October 1989 as a result of an attempt for illicit digging. It was called BT 89. |
| Stratigraphy: |
| Small Finds: Architectural Remains: With its dromos, anterior chamber and grave chamber, it bears architectural characteristics of a Lydian tumulus. The dressed block behind the stone wall at the end of the dromos, which was walled up by stones, was supported by irregular stones. Dromos entrance starting with a width of 1.6 m gets narrow down to 1.26 m towards anterior chamber. Top of the overall 4.5 m long dromos is not covered for 3.5 m, and the part of 1m was covered by two blocks. Behind the block stone is an anterior chamber, which is 1 m long, 1.3 m wide and 1.9 m high. The floor and ceiling of the chamber were covered by two blocks of limestones. There is another stone block in the passagway from the anterior chamber to the grave chamber. The gate was destructed during the illicit digging. The grave chamber, which measures 2.2 m in width, 1.87 m in lenght and 1.92 m in height, was entirely covered by limestone blocks. The sections near the ceiling are surrounded by a 3-4 cm wide red band. The upper section of the tomb was plastered with mud, and covered with grass, placing some big and small stones on it for protection from moisture. A kline was found standing on two feet parallel to the northern wall. It measures 2.06x0.81x0.25 m in dimensions. The frontal surface bears traces of uncertain decorations made by red, blue and black dyes. Palmetto patterns are observed within an ore on the shorter sides, and volutes on the feet. Interior of the kline was carved in the form of an ellipse. Pottery: A 22 cm high, slipped, qualified amphora with a flaring rounded rim, and a double band handle was found in fragments in the dromos, and it was restored. In addition to this amphora with bands over the shoulder, fragments of a marble alabastron was found under the kline. The 17 cm high alabastron has a small plastic lug, a broad rim disk, and a short cylindirical neck. Metal: It was found out that the iron objects recovered from the dromos belonged to the wheels of a cart used for carrying the dead. All the nails used to attach the wooden wheels were found in situ. And the wheels were found as inorganic artifacts as they were made of wood. Two undecorated bells in bronze were found, one with a height of 7.7 cm, and width of 7.5 cm at the entrance of the dromos, and the other with a height of 3.9 cm, and a width of 3.5 cm at the dromos. Those bells are probably related with the burial traditions. Figurines: A 10.5 cm tall and 5 cm wide bronze figurine with hands clasped over the belly was found in the passageway from the anterior chamber to the grave. Fragment of hinge was preserved at the lower section of the body. The felt cap on its head leans forward. The other figurine, which is 10.2 cm tall, was, probably, product of the same mould. The iron handle of the second bronze figurine was preserved. Their features suggest that they were used as linch pins for the axes of the cart. Based on these, it appears that they originated from the east. Two bronze ram heads were found, one with a lenght of 4.6 cm, and a width of 3.4 cm at the entrance of the dromos, and the other with a lenght of 11.3 cm, and a width of 3.3 cm at the entrance to the anterior chamber. Horns of both rams are curved forward, and ears are ahead. Their foreheads and necks are decorated with lines. Although their function is uncertain, they are most likely related with the dead-cult. Other: Although a piece of fabric found among the deposit of the anterior chamber can be evaluated as an evidence of a developed textile industry in Sardis, it is uncertain because of the findspot. Remains of harness including four grooved iron rings, wooden fragments backed with leather coating or traces of dye survived to the present day at where the dromos walls join with the floor. |
| Remains: |
| Interpretation and Dating: The excavations at the tumulus BT 89 contributed much to the Lydian archaeology. Although it had been looted during the ancient period, two cart wheels which were found in situ at the entrance of the dromos represent the first in a tumulus excavation conducted in Anatolia. The cart was either used for a burial ceremony or it was a vehicle used by the dead in his daily life. Based on the finds unearthed at the tumulus BT 89, the tomb can be dated to the period of Dareios I (520-480 BC), i.e the 6th century to the early 5th century [Dedeoglu 1991: 130]. |
