The mysterious cities of the dead carved into the sides of cliffs

CNN ^ | December 6, 2024 | Barry Neild

[SunkenCiv]

The ancient Lycians knew a thing or two about democracy. Two thousand years ago, the one-time rulers of modern-day Turkey's southwestern corner had a fully functioning democratic federation that centuries later inspired America's political structure.

While democracies everywhere might be facing turbulent times, another Lycian legacy remains steadfastly present in the Mediterranean region they used to call home. And this one is focused almost entirely around death.

Drive around the coast of this beautiful region and you'll never be too far from a spectacular city of the dead – elaborate tombs carved by Lycians into the sides of cliffs overlooking towns, valleys and shorelines.

That's not all. Scattered throughout the countryside and towns are imposing sarcophagi that likely once held the remains of high and mighty denizens of Lycia. Indeed, they're such a familiar sight that they're often casually included as part of urban landscapes...

A good starting place is Fethiye, a low-key port city that's a useful jumping-off point for great beaches and attractions all along Turkey's so-called Turquoise Coast riviera. After a day of swimming in those glorious waters, it's worth a sunset trek to the overlooking cliffs.

Here, way up above the city — known as Telmessos in Lycian times — and with a commanding view as the last golden moments of the day melt into the Aegean, are the Aminthas Rock Tombs, a honeycomb of carved portals dating from the 4th century BCE.

[SunkenCiv]

This cliff tomb above the city of Fethiye is a great place to watch the sun go down.

Barry Neild/CNN

• The ruins of hundreds of houses now stand in the town. | Barry Neild/CNN | (nice wheeling drone shot)
• A cascade of rock-cut tombs sits above the ancient city of Myra | iStockphoto/Getty Images | (cool pic, but can't be posted on FR, Getty)

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[SunkenCiv]

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[know.your.why]

For those interested:

[Omnivore-Dan]

Some serious carving, and with just chisels and hammers.

[Openurmind]

For those who want to know more about the governance connection with us. It involves James Madison and is pretty interesting...

The Lycian Confederation and the American Constitution

https://www.tc-america.org/issues-information/us-turkey-relations/the-lycian-confederation-and-the-american-constitution-153.htm

[Adder]

Good article.

Thanks!

[PIF]

... the one-time rulers of modern-day Turkey’s southwestern corner had a fully functioning democratic federation that centuries later inspired America’s political structure.

—

Barry, that was Greece, not some (unknown at the time) city state in Anatolia.

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

Probably more believable than the Iroquois claim which began in the 1970s.

[SunkenCiv]

You come not to praise but to Barry Neild. :^)

It appears to try to reference what was then the Ionian Greek area, but the major city in SW Anatolia was the Carian city Halicarnassus, which remained a prosperous monarchy, until it was conquered by the Persians, after which it was a prosperous monarchy under the rule of Persia. :^)

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks!

https://www.ynharari.com/book/sapiens-2/

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks!

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks O-D. Had I realized there was this much interest (six replies is *huge*, seriously) in the Lycians, this would have gone up long ago. :^) Takes the sting out of my 20 year old “bisons” topic.

https://freerepublic.com/focus/chat/1476377/posts

https://freerepublic.com/tag/bison/index?tab=articles

[Openurmind]

And thank you!

[SunkenCiv]

He’s got some vid links there, could make a nice topic or two.

[Openurmind]

Your OP sent me on a chase so I figured you might want that link I found.

History is a treasure hunt... :)

[SunkenCiv]

Oh, and sorry, I got mixed up, the vids were on the page about the sapiens book. [blush]

[Openurmind]

:)

[Omnivore-Dan]

I am very interested in ancient artifacts and civilizations that are little known about, and pertain to the Americas.

[SunkenCiv]

some examples possibly of interest:

https://freerepublic.com/tag/preclovis/index?tab=articles

https://freerepublic.com/tag/precolumbian/index?tab=articles

https://freerepublic.com/tag/olmecs/index?tab=articles

https://freerepublic.com/tag/cahokia/index?tab=articles

[Omnivore-Dan]

Thanks. Very interesting readings.