The Hittite Lion Tomb, Büyük Aslantaş, in Phrygia

Abstract

Among the impressive rock-cut monuments in the highlands of Phrygia near Afyon there is one, Büyük Aslantaş, which in all probability is not Phrygian but Hittite1 (PI. I, 1). This tomb, which is 11 m high, is believed to be one of the earliest monuments in the region. Although the date attributed to the tomb varies2, scholars agree that it belongs to the beginnings of the local tradition of carving rock tombs and cult monuments in the highlands of Phrygia. The attribution of the monument to the beginnings of the tradition is justified, since it lacks a pediment, which is common to the Phrygian monuments of the area3, and since the relatively small tomb chamber has an almost flat ceiling and not a pitched one.

Keywords

• Hittite
• Lion
• Tomb

THE HITTITE LION TOMB, BUYUK ASLANTAŞ, IN PHRYGIA

Abstract

Among the impressive rock-cut monuments in the highlands of Phrygia near Afyon there is one, Büyük Aslantaş, which in all probability is not Phrygian but Hittite1 (PI. I, 1). This tomb, which is 11 m high, is believed to be one of the earliest monuments in the region. Although the date attributed to the tomb varies2, scholars agree that it belongs to the beginnings of the local tradition of carving rock tombs and cult monuments in the highlands of Phrygia. The attribution of the monument to the beginnings of the tradition is justified, since it lacks a pediment, which is common to the Phrygian monuments of the area3, and since the relatively small tomb chamber has an almost flat ceiling and not a pitched one.

Keywords

• HITTITE
• LION
• TOMB