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The Discovery
The monumental tomb, located at Gordion in Ankara's Polatlı district, contains an exceptionally well-preserved wooden burial chamber dating back nearly 3,200 years. According to experts at the site, the structure provides remarkable evidence of Phrygian funerary practices, woodworking and metal craftsmanship, despite its long-standing popular association with King Midas.
Despite its familiar name, the Midas Tumulus is not thought to actually contain King Midas himself. Instead, evidence points to the burial being that of his father, Gordias, with the monument possibly commissioned by Midas following his father's death, as an act of royal filial commemoration.
What Archaeologists Found
Kadim Koç, chairman of the Gordion Foundation, explained that the association with Midas has endured largely because of the king's enduring fame. He noted that when the tumulus was excavated in 1957 and the burial chamber was reached, the Ulus newspaper at the time reported that the tomb of Gordias, father of Midas, had been found and that Gordias's skeleton had been discovered. However, as Koç observed, Midas remains such a famous figure of antiquity that his father could never take precedence over his son in popular memory, and the monument continues to be widely known as the Midas Tumulus to this day, even as visitors are informed of its more likely true attribution.
Rising approximately 53 metres above the surrounding landscape and measuring about 300 metres in diameter, the burial mound dominates the archaeological landscape around Gordion. Inside lies a wooden burial chamber measuring approximately 6.15 by 5.15 metres, remarkable for the extraordinary survival of the juniper timber used in its construction across almost 3,200 years. Koç noted that the juniper timbers have not decayed and remain visibly intact to the present day, an exceptional feat of natural preservation that has also allowed archaeologists to establish a precise chronology for the monument and study Phrygian construction techniques in unusual detail.
Historical Background
The tomb was excavated in 1957 in a joint archaeological effort involving Turkish and American researchers. To reach the burial chamber, workers dug an approximately 82-metre tunnel through the enormous mound, with experienced miners brought in from the Black Sea province of Zonguldak to assist with the demanding excavation work. According to Koç, the drilling methods available at the time caused some damage to parts of the structure and to surviving textile remains, though the excavation nevertheless revealed one of the most extraordinary examples of Phrygian funerary architecture yet discovered.
Gordion is closely associated with several figures who became legendary in the ancient world, particularly King Midas, remembered in Greek mythology for the story of the "golden touch," and Gordias, whose name became permanently linked with the famous Gordian Knot. Beyond these enduring legends, archaeological discoveries at the site have provided extensive physical evidence of Phrygian society, spanning monumental architecture and elite burials to sophisticated metalwork, textiles and wooden furniture.
Scientific Analysis
The burial chamber contained a rich collection of objects that offered archaeologists important evidence of Phrygian craftsmanship. Among the discoveries were 99 fibulas, ancient brooches used for fastening clothing, demonstrating the remarkable sophistication of metalworking practised at Gordion. Koç described the ancient capital as an important centre for fibula production, noting that these objects were among the most significant finds recovered from the tomb.
The discoveries also demonstrated the Phrygians' considerable abilities in woodworking and textile production. Koç noted that the finds showed the Phrygians were among the world's finest woodcarvers, while also being highly accomplished in carpet and textile weaving. Some objects recovered from the tumulus are now held at the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations in Ankara, while others remain on display at the Gordion Museum itself.
Why This Discovery Matters
The so-called Midas Tumulus is only one of scores of monumental burial mounds surrounding the ancient Phrygian capital. According to Koç, 130 tumuli have been officially registered across the wider Polatlı area, with nearly 90 concentrated around Gordion itself. The scale and density of these burial mounds reflect the significant political and ceremonial importance the ancient city once held as the capital of the Phrygian civilisation.
The likely reattribution of this particular tumulus to Gordias, rather than Midas, offers a valuable corrective to a popular misconception that has persisted for nearly seven decades, while also enriching understanding of Phrygian royal succession, filial commemoration and the practical realities behind some of antiquity's most enduring legendary names.
What's Next?
The ancient city gained significant international recognition in 2023 when it was formally inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, a status that continues to draw scholarly and public attention to ongoing research at Gordion. Nearly seven decades after archaeologists first entered its enormous wooden burial chamber, the monument popularly associated with Midas continues to offer valuable insights into the Phrygian royal dynasty, even as its true occupant appears to be not the legendary king himself, but the father who may have been honoured with an extraordinary tomb by his famous son.
Continued research at Gordion and its surrounding tumuli is expected to further refine understanding of Phrygian burial customs, craftsmanship and royal history, building on the foundation established by decades of excavation at this remarkable site.
Conclusion
The reattribution of the Midas Tumulus to Gordias rather than his legendary son offers a compelling reminder of how popular memory and archaeological evidence can diverge, even at one of antiquity's most celebrated sites. As the exceptionally preserved wooden burial chamber, its remarkable fibulas and its testament to Phrygian craftsmanship continue to be studied, Gordion stands as a powerful window into a civilisation whose legendary figures, from Midas's golden touch to the Gordian Knot, still capture the imagination millennia after their kingdom flourished.
Sources : Hurriyet Daily News
FAQ
Q: Who is actually believed to be buried in the Midas Tumulus? A: Evidence points to the tomb belonging to Gordias, father of King Midas, rather than Midas himself, possibly commissioned by Midas after his father's death.
Q: How old is the burial chamber? A: The wooden burial chamber dates back nearly 3,200 years and was excavated in 1957.
Q: What was found inside the tomb? A: Archaeologists recovered 99 fibulas (ancient brooches), along with evidence of sophisticated Phrygian woodworking and textile weaving.
Q: Why is the tomb still called the "Midas Tumulus"? A: Despite evidence pointing to Gordias, King Midas's enduring fame has meant the monument continues to be popularly known by his name.
Q: How many burial mounds are there around Gordion? A: According to the Gordion Foundation, 130 tumuli have been officially registered across the wider Polatlı area, with nearly 90 concentrated around Gordion itself.
