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A monumental tomb containing a sarcophagus believed to have belonged to an aristocratic woman has been uncovered in the ancient city of Olympos in the Kumluca district of Antalya.
Excavations at Olympos, one of the most important cities of the Lycian civilization, are being carried out under the Culture and Tourism Ministry’s “Heritage for the Future Project.”
The work continues to bring to light remains from the Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine periods, helping researchers trace the city’s long and layered history.
The latest discovery came from the area identified as the city’s harbor zone, where archaeologists have been working around monumental tombs built for prominent individuals.
Assoc. Prof. Gokcen Kurtulus Oztaskin, head of the Olympos excavation and a faculty member at Pamukkale University, said two monumental tombs had previously been known at the site, but the team’s recent work revealed a third.
“We discovered that there was a third monumental tomb,” she said, explaining that the structure was found in detail during excavations in the area. The tomb, covered with vaults and rising to about 10 meters, contained a sarcophagus that has reached the present day in a damaged condition.
The sarcophagus, which has been linked to an aristocratic woman, carries hunting scenes along with figures of Nike and Eros.
In the Roman period, hunting scenes were used as symbols of power and wealth, while the motifs on the sarcophagus also refer to immortality.
Oztaskin said the sarcophagus was made from high-quality marble brought from Iscehisar in Afyonkarahisar. Based on its material, decoration, and burial setting, the tomb has been identified as one of the examples belonging to Olympos’ leading aristocratic and wealthy families.
The lower part of the sarcophagus was found broken, and archaeologists are now working to restore it with the precision of a puzzle.
Around 50 fragments are being joined together before the sarcophagus is opened to visitors.
Oztaskin noted that similar restoration work was carried out last year on two sarcophagi discovered in 722 pieces.
Those fragments were placed back together one by one and later put on display.
She said the newly found sarcophagus will also be restored and exhibited once the conservation process is complete.
The monumental tombs offer information about leading figures who lived in Olympos and were buried in the city.
According to Oztaskin, each tomb carries its own story about the people of Olympos and the burial traditions of the period.
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She said these funerary customs help researchers understand daily life and social practices, while also allowing visitors to build a stronger connection with the ancient city.
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