A wooden tomb believed to belong to a member of the ancient Phrygian royal family has been uncovered in Gordion (Greek: Γόρδιον), an archaeological site near modern-day Ankara, Turkey.
Turkey’s Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, announced the discovery at a press event this week. He said the tomb was found remarkably well-preserved and intact, containing 88 metal artifacts, including large bronze cauldrons and iron-nailed vessels fixed to the chamber walls.
“This group of artifacts is the most substantial since the earlier discoveries in the Midas Tumulus,” Ersoy said. “We estimate that the individual buried here may have belonged to the royal family associated with Gordias and Midas.”
Excavation offers a rare glimpse into Phrygian life
The tomb was excavated from Tumulus T26 under the direction of Professor Süleyman Yücel Şenyurt of Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University. The 121-day dig provided valuable insights into Phrygian burial customs, elite craftsmanship, and daily life.
Gordion’da Efsanevi Keşif!
Gordion Antik Kenti’ndeki kazılarda, Frig kraliyet ailesine ait olduğu değerlendirilen el değmemiş ahşap bir mezar odasını gün yüzüne çıkardık.
T26 tümülüsünde bulunan ve büyük bölümü sağlam durumda olan 88 metal eser, Midas Tümülüsü’nden sonraki en… pic.twitter.com/cxOJPyaOXV
— Mehmet Nuri Ersoy (@MehmetNuriErsoy) June 4, 2025
So far, 47 of the items have been restored and were unveiled during the minister’s visit. Officials plan to exhibit the wooden tomb and its contents at the Gordion Museum by the end of 2025.
Gordion’s ancient legacy continues to grow
Gordion is located near the village of Yassıhöyük in Ankara’s Polatlı district and served as the political and cultural center of the Phrygian kingdom. The city is widely associated with King Midas, a legendary figure said to have the power to turn everything he touched into gold.
Midas also appears prominently in Greek mythology, including tales involving Dionysus and Apollo. These myths likely drew inspiration from Phrygian culture, reflecting early links between Anatolia and the Greek world.
In 2023, UNESCO added Gordion to its World Heritage List, citing its continuous settlement dating back to 2500 B.C. and its central role in early Anatolian civilization.
2023’te Gordion’un UNESCO Dünya Mirası Listesi’ne dâhil olmasına katkı sunup, tanıklık etmiştik.
Bugünse, Frig medeniyetinin kalbinde yapılan kazı çalışmalarıyla gün yüzüne çıkarılan ve Midas’tan sonraki en değerli hazineyi barındıran 2.800 yıllık mezar odasının keşfiyle… pic.twitter.com/5i5OdtXrIB
— Fuat Oktay (@fuatoktay) June 4, 2025
One of its most prominent features is the Midas Mound Tumulus—one of the largest burial mounds in Anatolia, thought to have been built by Midas for his father. UNESCO called the wooden tomb beneath it “unparalleled anywhere in the world.”
Trade routes and rich soil fueled Gordion’s rise
Professor Brian Rose of the University of Pennsylvania, who leads broader excavations at the site, said Gordion’s strategic location on major trade routes and its fertile environment contributed to its long-standing influence.
The site is also home to the legend of the Gordian Knot, a prophecy-rich puzzle said to guarantee dominion over Asia to whoever could untie it.
According to Greek historical accounts, Alexander the Great visited Gordion in 334 B.C. and sliced through the knot with his sword, giving rise to the enduring expression “cutting the Gordian knot.”
Alexander the Great cutting the Gordian knot. If you can’t beat the game, change the game. pic.twitter.com/MBb1vtEHPJ
— GrecoRomanCiv (@GrecoRomanCiv) November 11, 2023
Recent findings suggest the knot may have been housed in the city’s Mosaic Building, where archaeologists recently uncovered a gold-and-ivory sphinx, deepening Gordion’s mystique.
A myth with possible roots in golden garments
Rose also offered a possible historical basis for the “golden touch” myth. He said the shimmering appearance of royal Phrygian garments, possibly colored with a natural pigment called goethite, might have inspired later legends.
From royal tombs and mythic kings to Greek conquerors and global recognition, Gordion continues to reveal a civilization that once stood at the crossroads of East and West, where history and legend remain inseparably woven.