Ancient Greek family tomb discovered in Northwest Turkey

A Turkish archaeologist in the northwestern Turkish province of Canakkale has discovered a 2,300-year-old family grave containing the cremated remains of 21 individuals in the ancient Greek city of Assos.

Credit: Anadolu Agency

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Nurettin Arslan, head of the Assos excavations and a professor at Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University, said the family grave dating back 2,300 years was discovered as part of the ancient city's excavations in the first half of 2018.

The tomb, which was discovered in the region called Western Necropolis, had the name Aristios engraved on the tomb's lid, Arslan said.

Credit: Anadolu Agency

He noted that the grave belonged to a family of 21, and that the burial offerings found inside the tomb provided "important information on the rituals in Assos during the time of Hellenistic Era."

Arslan further said one of the family members was buried normally, while the remaining 20 were cremated and their ashes were placed inside urn-like vases.

Credit: Anadolu Agency

"Following the cremation, the remaining bones, ashes were placed inside urn-like square vases... In efforts to prevent any foreign substance getting inside the urns, the lids were sealed off with cement," he added.

Arslan underscored that the newly-discovered family grave provides "valuable information" on burial traditions, the chronology and typology of ceramics from the Hellenistic era.

Credit: Anadolu Agency

He also pointed to the importance of a 2,300-year-old grave reaching this day undamaged.

Assos was founded by settlers from Methymna on the Greek island of Lesbos in the 7th century BC. In 6th century BC, Assos was among the western Greek states which became subject to Lydia.

Source: Anadolu Agency [October 14, 2018]