A rare ancient tomb in southwestern Turkey, long believed to be an Islamic shrine, is now the focus of a new conservation project after archaeologists confirmed it as the tomb of a famous ancient Greek boxer.
Authorities have begun preservation and landscape work at the pyramid-shaped tomb overlooking the hills near Turgut in the Marmaris district. The structure, which dates to the Hellenistic period more than 2,300 years ago, is now recognized as the burial place of the renowned boxer Diagoras of Rhodes.
Hilltop tomb once revered as a local shrine
For centuries, residents believed the monument marked the grave of a Muslim holy figure known as Çağbaba. The hilltop site became a place of pilgrimage where visitors prayed for health and good fortune. According to local tradition, young men preparing for military service would take soil from around the tomb as a good-luck talisman.
The monument’s religious status began to be questioned in the 20th century after looters damaged parts of the structure. Archaeological research later revealed a marble inscription written in Greek that identified the tomb as belonging to Diagoras and his wife Aristomakha.
The inscription even carries a warning attributed to the athlete, stating: “I will be vigilant at the very top so as to ensure that no coward can come and destroy this tomb.”
Rare pyramid tomb from the Hellenistic world
Researchers date the monument to the Hellenistic era. Unlike most burial structures in Anatolia, which often appear as rock-cut chambers or temple-style tombs, this monument rises in a sharply pyramidal form.
📍 Marmaris’in Turgut Mahallesi’nde bulunan ve bölgenin en kıymetli kültür varlıklarından olan Piramit Mezar’da MTO tarafından koruma ve çevre düzenleme çalışmaları başlatıldı.
Marmaris Ticaret Odası (MTO) tarafından projelendirilen ve bütçesi karşılanan çalışmalar, Muğla Kültür… pic.twitter.com/GfhcRNvzoI
— arkeolojihaber ® (@arkeolojihaber) March 10, 2026
Archaeologists consider it exceptionally rare and widely regard it as the only surviving pyramid-type tomb in Turkey. The site is officially registered as an “Immovable Cultural Property Requiring Protection” by the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
Diagoras himself was one of the most celebrated athletes of the ancient Greek world. Ancient sources describe him as a champion boxer who won major victories at the Olympic and other Panhellenic games during the fifth century BC.
Conservation project aims to protect the monument and improve access
The conservation project is financed and coordinated by the Marmaris Chamber of Commerce. The work is being carried out with authorization from the Muğla Regional Board for the Protection of Cultural Heritage.
Field supervision is handled by the Marmaris Museum Directorate, while scientific guidance is provided by archaeologist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mehmet Gürbüzer of Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University.
The first phase of the project focuses on stabilizing the area surrounding the monument. Workers are clearing dense vegetation growing around the structure, which archaeologists say can damage ancient stone by trapping moisture and forcing roots into masonry joints.
Later stages will include building a stepped access route and designated walking paths to guide visitors while reducing soil erosion.
Authorities are also installing surveillance systems, wildlife cameras, and protective lighting to help prevent vandalism and protect the site.
Officials say the effort will preserve one of Turkey’s most unusual ancient monuments while allowing visitors to safely explore a site where ancient Greek history and later local tradition once intersected.
