Resurrecting Preserving ’s Phrygian Capital by frank g. matero and c. brian rose

rchaeology and heritage conservation Babylonians, Hittites) have become important partners in the exca- and the west (Greeks, vation, preservation, and display of archaeo- Romans), it occupied logical sites around the world. With rare a strategic position exception, most archaeological sites are cre- on nearly all trade atedA through excavation, and they become “heritage” through routes that linked the a complex process of study, intervention, and visitation that Mediterranean with TURKEY involves a number of disciplines beyond archaeology. It is the Near East. The largely tourism that drives the need to expose and display sites, city became especially which shifts the priorities of archaeological research to man- prominent shortly aging deterioration (as a result of exposure) and interpreting after the buildings, features, and site histories. Input from the archae- settled there in the Gordion is located in central Turkey. ologist, conservator, and design professional at the beginning 12th century BCE, of a project determines the success or failure of how a site is and it continued to ultimately preserved, interpreted, and exhibited. be a military and commercial center even after the Persian Beyond this, many archaeological sites have special mean- conquests in the mid-6th century BCE. During the 3rd cen- ing to the local residents, who have claimed these places as tury BCE, the city was settled by the Celts, whose practice of part of their cultural and/or ethnic heritage long before the human sacrifice is documented by new skeletal discoveries. first shovelful of earth has been removed for scientific study. Excavations at Gordion have been conducted by the A new conservation program for the Phrygian capital of University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Gordion, well known in antiquity as well as today for its asso- Anthropology since 1950, and have revealed at least ten occu- ciations with King and , will safe- pation levels spanning a period of nearly 3,000 years. The guard the extensive yet rapidly deteriorating remains of this Early Phrygian (ca. 950–800 BCE) palaces and public build- great citadel and transform it into a vibrant component of the ings were built primarily of timber and mudbrick on stone region’s economy and identity. foundations, and they contain the earliest known examples of geometric pebble mosaics, the patterns of which suggest gordion—a turkish treasure that the artists were experts in weaving and textile design. The citadel was surrounded by massive stone fortifications whose Located in central Turkey, approximately 70 km southwest early gate is one of the most complete to survive from that of , Gordion was the center of the Phrygian kingdom period in the ancient Near East, along with sections of stone that ruled much of Asia Minor during the early first millen- fortification walls. The site’s destruction in 800 BCE is one of nium BCE. It was also one of the most important cultural the few in Asia Minor that can be precisely dated, and Gordion and political centers of the ancient world. Located at the therefore serves as an anchor for the chronology of the eastern intersection of the great empires to the east (Assyrians, Mediterranean during the early first millennium BCE. Emily Toner

www.penn.museum/expedition 21 Surrounding the citadel is a rolling landscape dominated by almost 100 elite tombs (tumuli), Famous Rulers most of which date between 900 and 500 BCE. The largest of these tumuli, 300 m in diameter and 53 m in height, has been identified as the at Gordion tomb of Gordias (ca. 740 BCE), the eponymous founder of the city and the father of the legend- s the political and cultural capital of the Phrygians, Gordion ary King Midas (ca. 740–700 BCE). The tomb was one of the most important sites in the ancient Near East, chamber, approximately 5 by 6 m, lay 40 m Abut it is more commonly remembered as the power center of below the surface, and it represents the earliest kings Gordias and Midas (allegedly of the “Golden Touch”), and as known intact wooden structure in the world. the location of an intricate knot that was cut by Alexander the Great. Inside, the tomb contained intricate inlaid Our information regarding the former king is limited: an oracle wooden furniture, bronze vessels, and textile had reportedly informed the inhabitants of Gordion that they should bedding with patterns of purple and brown dyes, acclaim as king a man who entered the city on an ox-cart, and Gordias subsequently analyzed by the Penn Museum’s or his son Midas was the first to do this, thereby earning the right to Applied Science Center for Archaeology. rule. The ox-cart—and the knotted bark attached to it—was subse- Since the initial opening of the site in 1950, quently enshrined within the citadel as an object of reverence. So much for the legend; but Midas was actually an historical char- modest site preservation has protected the acter whose career (ca. 740–700 BCE) is described in contemporary extensive architectural remains from destruc- writing. Greek and Roman authors indicate that he married the tion. In 2006 a new program of site conserva- daughter of the ruler of the Greek city of Kyme and was the first non- tion was launched integrating documentation, Greek to have made a dedication at the Sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi. analysis, intervention, and interpretation of The most important references to Midas are in the Assyrian the citadel and its surrounding landscape. The Annals, where he is referred to as Mita of Mushki. During the last Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism now quarter of the 8th century BCE, Phrygian control extended over much holds foreign archaeologists responsible for the of central Asia Minor, and Midas’s support against the Assyrians was sites that their institutions have excavated, and increasingly sought by cities in the Upper Euphrates region. the Penn Museum has responded through a MM, the largest tomb at Gordion, was once regarded as the tomb of new and aggressive program of site conserva- Midas himself, but it is more likely to have been built by Midas at the tion, research, and maintenance. beginning of his reign to honor his predecessor. The mound was nev- ertheless just as much a monument to Midas himself in that it was the largest burial mound in Asia Minor, and would remain so until the a plan for conservation construction of the tomb of the Lydian king Alyattes at Sardis nearly In 2007, the Architectural Conservation 200 years later. Laboratory of Penn’s School of Design, under Meanwhile, the famous ox-cart continued to be venerated within Professor Frank Matero, completed a five-year the city long after the Phrygian kingdom had come to an end, and Conservation and Management Plan for the acquired yet another layer of meaning: an oracle prophesied that who- Gordion citadel. The plan and its implementa- ever untied the intricate bark knot attached to the cart would become tion represent Penn Museum’s renewed com- ruler of Asia. When Alexander the Great arrived at the city in 333 mitment to the conservation of the site and BCE, he sliced through the knot when his attempts to untie it were vicinity, recognizing the role of Gordion in unsuccessful, thereby, in a sense, fulfilling the prophecy. This force- any program of sustainable development of the ful action still remains as a common expression in English, wherein region’s cultural heritage in central Turkey. The “cutting the ” refers to decisively solving a seemingly intractable problem. current project is based on an integrated and phased program of academic research, site con- servation, regional survey, and heritage training.

22 volume 53, number 1 expedition The ancient landscape of Gordion consists of a dominating citadel mound (a) surrounded by a settlement (b), secondary fortifications (c), and a royal cemetery of tumuli including the “Midas Mound” MM (d), as well as the village of Yassıhöyük (e), 1950.

D E

A B C

Gordion’s ancient citadel mound is a dis- tinctive presence on the central Anatolian horizon, representing three millennia of human occupation. The mass and contour of its constructed form, together with associ- ated mound features representing the lower town and outer fortifications nearby, define the ancient Phrygian capital. Since 1950 the citadel mound has been transformed through excavation, which also resulted in the creation of large spoil heaps along its outer slopes. Removal of these deposits to both restore the mound profile and stabi- lize erosion as backfill for eroded excavation scarps and trenches will do much to rein- state Gordion’s largest and most character-

istic feature. Also critical to the stabilization Site plan of phased conservation activities over the next five years. Penn Museum Gordion Archive (top), Architectural Conservation Laboratory (bottom)

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steps, railings, and wayside pavilion design, 2009. 2009. design, pavilion wayside and railings, stone steps, new with circuit visitor Below, 2010. citadel, Gordion of view aerial Above, volume 53, number 1 expedition 1 number 53, volume aiu peetto tcnqe ae under are techniques presentation various Currently, protection. for reburied sequently ments and megaron walls (see pave- below) were sub- stone the as such features some walls), masonry (rubble-core techniques construction and (mudbrick) materials these degraded sure expo- prolonged of years Although spaces. rior exte- and interior differentiated clearly plaster height. Pavements of stone, cobble, mosaic, and in m 1 over cases some in stood they framing, timber heavy of evidence with mudbrick and stone of constructed discernible; readily were walls enclosure and buildings Many landscape. and current the from different very site a reveals 60s 1950s the the from of photographs excavation Examination viewing. for ancient structures displaying and exposing archaeological while future value protecting in balance a find must that term relative a becomes here “Authenticity” fabric. architectural of ervation reestablishment of the overall plan and the pres- the between mediate carefully that guidelines of set a to according interpreted being rently cur- are fabric building and form Architectural simultaneously. implemented been tion—have reconstruc- partial and restoration, bilization, of techniques—including selective reburial, sta- range a buildings, the of stability structural and form architectural the re-establish to order In approaches. presentation past of variety a and deterioration to due illegible currently is which design urban of composition brilliant a in tures fea- these all possessed Gordion and understood. discernible readily are Gordion of areas tion walls, enclosed and open spaces, and paved architectural details that the buildings, fortifica- the in is it however, parts; its of relationship the Middle EastTechnicalUniversity. Museum’s Dr. Naomi Miller and partners from the by development under plan land-use and re-vegetation a of implementation the be will of the mound as well as the surrounding tumuli The perception of any settlement depends on

Architectural Conservation Laboratory Penn Museum Gordion Archive (top), Architectural Conservation Laboratory (middle and bottom) the gate displacement and open wall tops to be to tops wall open and displacement gate the identified have assessments engineering Recent priority. highest the of is importance, historical and architectural enormous of structure stone complete nearly and massive a gate, citadel The material analyses. and imaging, laser 3D by informed Phrygians, research into the construction techniques of the Gordion conservation program, which includes the of focus archi- the currently and are features tectural buildings other and mega- These numerous rons. and Building, Terrace the walls, Phrygian Middle the gate, Phrygian Early the including structures, important of number a of collapse seri- structural for and deterioration potential ous the identified has survey ings, features,andhistory. build- relevant describing signage responding cor- with Falck, Lindsay professor PennDesign augmented by 12 covered pavilions designed by and surrounding landscape, which is now being citadel the of view degree 360 a visitors allows mound the of perimeter the atop circuit A ers. scarps and the poorly delineated trail and barri- threatened by the instability of both the eroding currently is and aspects compelling most site’s the of one remains This landscape. the across have an extraordinary view into the city and out top the from and gate, entrance the at mound unique situation for viewing. Visitors ascend the a created has and BCE), 800 (ca. destruction to prior capital Phrygian ancient the revealed has and itscontributiontotheplan. condition, its feature, the of significance logical lar building or area will depend on the archaeo- will be tested, and their application to a particu- techniques these of Each replication. and tion, encapsula- capping, excavation, by and pavements walls display and reveal to development h rcn bidn ad ie condition site and building recent The mound citadel the within deep Excavation The Gate ( ca. 900 BCE) A B and b) 2009. Below, laser image of the citadel gate and surrounding area, 2009. 2009. area, surrounding and gate citadel the of image laser Below, 2009. b) and 1957 a) east: looking view weathering, site post-excavation comparative Above, www.penn.museum/expedition www.penn.museum/expedition 25 n ohr ciiis Te uvvn soe al, ery com- nearly walls, stone surviving The activities. other and processing, food weaving, of for rooms storage complex and workshops a was Building Terrace eight-room linear The standing walls. the of sections large restore to needed all are and consolidation reintegration, structural shoring, Temporary collapse. and instability to led has walls earlier over superimposition ferent types of stone display a range of deterioration, and their dif- many the however, color; of love Phrygians’ the reveals blocks stone multi-colored the of effect polychromatic The standing. still remains architectural largest the among are and time, over evolution and delineation citadel’s the of ponent com- critical a are walls stone Phrygian Middle and Early The roof technologyandlastyear’sfieldexperiments. green on based tops gate the protect to method low-impact creative, a as installed been have caps “soft” Vegetative eled. tored for movement while test stabilization methods are mod- moni- structurally and shored temporarily be must now that masonry the in instability caused have gate Phrygian Middle later superimposed the from crushing and activity seismic of Centuries structure. the of integrity the to risk a as well as lic pub- visiting the and excavators the to issue safety serious a 26 A

Gate entrance showing Early and Middle Phrygian masonry and trenched later Phrygian fill, view looking west (a) and east (b), 2010. 2010. (b), east and (a) west looking view fill, Phrygian later trenched and masonry Phrygian Middle and Early showing entrance Gate volume 53, number 1 expedition 1 number 53, volume The Terrace Building The Walls tions. More recently, site conservation has benefited from the from benefited has conservation site recently, More tions. institu- academic numerous of involvement the from efited For many years, archaeological fieldwork at Gordion has ben- now fundedbytheJ.M.KaplanFund. is that Museum, Gordion the in currently mosaic, pebble the particular Of interest and importance is the conservation and restoration of reinstated. and conserved features floor and these stabilized, walls their protection, re-excavated, be to need now temporary buildings for Reburied execution. and design exquisite both features which mosaic, pebble complete nificance was the discovery in Megaron 2 of the earliest known sig- unparalleled Of methods. construction their to attested significant wall remains of stone, excavation mudbrick, and timber of clearly time the At interior. and exterior the both on ornamented richly likely most buildings, elite civic were form plat- Building Terrace the flanking megarons principal The tion sectoroftheEarlyPhrygiancitadel. produc- famed the into glimpse a afforded be will visitor the features such as storage bins and hearths have been reinstated, Once pins. and cables steel stainless of “corset” interior tive innova- an using stabilization extensive require plan, in plete B planning andheritagetraining The Megarons

Architectural Conservation Laboratory Architectural Conservation Laboratory

Architectural Conservation Laboratory D A A Work ContinuesatGordion and theSelzFoundation. Project Conservation Citadel Gordion the comes from for the 1984 Foundation, funding Global Heritage Fund Current Preservation Foundation, the Sciences). J. M. Kaplan and Fund, the Storer Arts Foundation, of School (Penn Rose Brian and Design) of School (Penn Matero Frank are project the Overseeing walls. defensive and gate Phrygian great the of collapse the to related supported the current conservation plan. Sponsorship is now urgently needed to begin implementation of the more critical needs work this for funding Previous design. and conservation, ethnography, archaeology, of collaboration simultaneous the involves which approach, integrated its in unique is project The landscape. surrounding the within and citadel great the on University Technical East Middle and Pennsylvania of University the by study planning conservation preliminary a of result direct the is work proposed This citadel. Gordion the for stations wayside and circuit visitor a including interpretation, and conservation, (c) capillary break layer, (d) filter layer, (e) completed “soft” caps, (f) view looking east of completed north gate “soft” wall caps, 2010. 2010. caps, wall “soft” gate north completed of east looking view (f) caps, layer, “soft” protection completed cap (e) “soft” layer, (b) filter (d) intervention, to layer, prior break cap capillary concrete (c) existing (a) complex: gate north on caps “soft” vegetative of Installation project addresses the long-overdue need to put into effect an integrated program of emergency stabilization, building stabilization, emergency of program integrated an effect into put to need long-overdue the addresses project Design at the University of Pennsylvania is currently underway to implement a conservation program for Gordion. This of School the of Laboratory Conservation Architectural the and Museum Penn the of auspices the under project joint B E

C F www.penn.museum/expedition www.penn.museum/expedition 27 A B C

D E F

Terrace Building (TB2), demonstration of various wall masonry conservation techniques: (a) before treatment, (b) stone replacement, (c) drilling for adhesive repair, (d) structural retrofitting, (e) wall capping, (f) after treatment, 2009. Below, documentation of the current display of lifted Megaron 2 mosaic at the Gordion Museum, 2010. participation of students from the University of Pennsylvania and Middle East Technical University (METU) in Ankara. The number of visitors is likely to increase as the site conser- vation program accelerates, and in time, Gordion will consti- tute a substantial income-generating tourist and educational market as required by national and regional authorities. The new Gordion project has also begun to assess the economic and social values of developing the site for tourism through collateral research underway by the Faculty of Architecture at Middle East Technical University and the Penn Museum. Both programs will provide opportunities for training local and American conservators and heritage specialists. As recommended by the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism, a Conservation Management Plan for Gordion and¸ its environs is being developed by an interdisciplinary Architectural Conservation Laboratory

28 volume 53, number 1 expedition Megaron 2 during excavation and discovery of pebble mosaic pavement, 1956.

team from METU under Professor Evin Erder and Dr. Ayse frank g. matero is Professor of Architecture and Historic Gürsan-Salzmann. In 2007, a GIS database was generated for Preservation, and founder and director of the Architectural Gordion and its near environs. Using the cumulative ethno- Conservation Laboratory, University of Pennsylvania. graphic information as a guideline, the project is surveying c. brian rose is the James B. Pritchard Professor of and documenting all values—archaeological, architectural, Mediterranean Archaeology at the University of Pennsylvania, historical, economic, socio-cultural, and ecological—within Deputy Director of the Penn Museum, and co-director of the 2 a 40 km area of Gordion in order to create a vision and Gordion excavations. policies for sustainable development and conservation of the area. In 2008–2009 the focus of the fieldwork was to survey Yassıhöyük, a nearby village with strong ties to Gordion, and the first step was taken toward the systematic recording and analysis of rural communities within the 1st and 3rd degree protected zones at Gordion. Three thousand years after its founding and only 60 years after its excavation by archaeologists from the University of Pennsylvania, ancient Gordion will slowly reveal itself, as a multi-disciplinary team of academics and professionals together with local authorities and residents contemplate the

past and future of King Midas’s legendary city. Frank G. Matero and C. Brian Rose. Architectural Conservation Laboratory Penn Museum Gordion Archive (top), Penn Museum (bottom)

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