BM’S INTERNATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAMME - 2010

Lycian Burial Traditions and Art

Marble Reliefs from the Kybernis’ Tomb (Harpy Tomb)

PRESENTED BY Pinar KUSSEVEN AND Bulent GONULTAS LYCIAN BURIAL TRADITION AND ART

The Reason for the Selection of the Object and Theme

.Lycians constitute an important part of the Anatolian History.

. What we have inherited from Lycians as tangible heritage are mostly impressive sculptured tombs. Today the entire landscape of Lycia is covered with their fascinating funerary monuments.

Lycian tombs and landscape Rock cut tombs The Selection of the Object and Theme

. Lycians tombs give us information not only about their burial traditions but also about their religion and culture. Reliefs found on different kind of Lycian tombs show mythological figures, funerary feast, battles scenes. So, tombs are important elements for analyzing Lycian art.

Relief panel from Harpy Tomb

 Outside Turkey, the British Museum has the largest collection of Lycian Monuments

 Via Harpy Tomb and other visual aids visitors can focus on a specific theme. INFORMATION NEEDED FOR PLANNING THE EXHIBITION

Where is Lycia and Who is Lycians?: Lycia is a region in Anatolia including the south-west Turkey. The Lycians were an ancient people who inhabited the area between the bays of Antalya and Fethiye, mountainous territory. They lived at the juncture of Greek and Near Eastern culture.

Map showing Lycia Lycia and major cities Where is Lycia and Who is Lycians?

.The Lycians were the indigenous people speaking a language of their own unique alphabet before adopting Greek around the 3rd century B.C. The region came under the control of Persia in 546 B.C until it was conquered by Alexander the Great during 334-333 B.C.

.In about 205 B.C, Independent city states formed Lycian Leaque which is considered as first democratic union in history. Xanthos was the capital of the Lycian League. Earliest Research in Lycia and The Discovery of the Lycian tombs

The Lycian tombs were discovered in 1838 by Charles Fellows who is the well known British explorer of Lycia. So, Fellows became the person unrevealing the secrets of Lycian cities. And the British Museum became involved for the conservations of the monuments in the Museum.

Drawing of Sir Charles Harpy Tomb, Xanthus (Victoria and Albert Collection) Fellows Lycians used different kind of tombs, each has distinctive feature…

Pillar Tombs Sarcopagi

Monumental Tombs Rock Cut Tombs Kybernis’ Tomb (Harpy Tomb)

Harpy Tomb is categorized as pillar tombs which were the oldest form of the tombs and were used mainly for important dynasties. The tomb is situated in Xanthos that was the capital of Lycian federation. It dates 480- 470 B.C (Classical Period). Except the sculptured marbles, the tomb was built in limestone. It is thought to be sculptured for Kybernis who was the ruler as whose name appears on a coin.

Coin: Kybernis, c.520-480 B.C Kybernis’Tomb (Harpy Tomb) Detail from Harpy Tomb The Lycians were under the influence of their neighbors. So, they developed different style of art.

West Side East Side

North Side South Side PLANNING OF THE EXHIBITION

The position of the object in British Museum

Room 15: Athens and Lycia ROOM 3 (SIMPLE PLAN) ROOM 3 (SIMPLE PLAN) ROOM 3 (TO ESTABLISH OF HARPY TOMB) ROOM 3 HARPY TOMB

XANTHOS PİCTURE (3D WALL PAINTING) ROOM 3 MODEL HARPY TOMB

XANTHOS PİCTURE TEXT (3D WALL PAINTING) PANEL ROOM 3 (VERTICAL SECTION 1)

LIGHTING TEXT PANELS MODEL HARPY TOMB

BASE XANTHOS PİCTURE (WALL PAINTING) ROOM 3 (VERTICAL SECTION 2 FROM ENTRANCE)

XANTHOS PİCTURE (WALL PAINTING)

BASE ROOM 3 (VERTICAL SECTION 2 FROM ENTRANCE)

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE !