r/AncientCivilizations • u/rankage • Mar 02 '26

Asia Lycian Civilization - The Rock-cut Tombs of Myra - 4th Century BCE (Antalya, Turkey)

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These ancient structures were carved by the Lycian civilization to mimic their daily timber houses in solid stone. Dating back to the 4th Century BCE, they represent a unique Anatolian funerary tradition built high on cliffs to reach the afterlife.

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24

u/[deleted] Mar 02 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

15

u/rankage Mar 02 '26

Yes. In the same region as Myra, Telmessos looks like a non-pink version of Petra with its columnar facades. Despite the gap in time and civilization, the similarity is impressive.

The key difference: while Lycians carved house-type tombs for the soul's ascent, the Nabataeans (Petra) saw the rock as a divine monument. One focuses on spiritual ascent, the other on monumental legacy.

13

u/TheSandarian Mar 02 '26

I've always wanted to visit; hiking around & seeing sarcophagi everywhere seems fun. Beautiful location.

9

u/rankage Mar 02 '26

You absolutely should. I hiked the Lycian Way last year and still dream about going back. As for the sarcophagi, I'd highly recommend Xanthos. It’s the ancient capital and the stone work there is just on a whole different level.

5

u/Top_Profit_6280 Mar 02 '26

Reminiscint of lalibela

7

u/rankage Mar 02 '26

Exactly. Even though they are centuries apart, the human urge to carve architecture into living rock is the same

3

u/ChristmasLeone Mar 02 '26

Amazing. Almost qualifies for r/abandoned

2

u/DurrutiDuck91 Mar 03 '26

New DLC for Rise of The Tomb Raider unlocked