TLOS ANTİK KENTİ QÑTURAHİ KAYA MEZARI

The ancient city of Tlos is one of the richest Lycian settlements in terms of the architecture of its 'Lycian Type' rock cut tombs, which have managed to live on until the present day in various versions. The exterior design of these tombs, known to have been utilized since the Early Classical Period, is generally accepted to be a reflection of the wooden architecture of the Lycian region. This exterior design can consist of just one panel, but there are also more than a few tombs including two or more panels. In fact, some rock cut tombs even possess a multi-layered panel design. The exterior design of the rock cut tombs in question has generally been carved into the main rock face along with the burial chamber. However, it's also known that the exterior design of some samples was constructed using an application technique. The façade of the Qñturahi rock tomb, further examined within this piece, was constructed with an arrangement of two panels shaped using an application technique. After being raided in ancient times, the tomb remained underground until being discovered by chance and documented during its excavation. Three burial beds, arranged in a U-shape, were found in the burial chamber. No skeleton or gifts were found throughout the course of the excavation. The only thing setting the Qñturahi tomb apart is the content of the two epitaphs written in Lycian at the top of the tomb. Two separate epitaphs were excavated, the first made up of two lines and the second consisting of four. As understood from paleographic observations, these inscriptions belong to roughly the same time period as the tomb itself, and are for the same individual. The first inscription located above the door lintel is the foremost epitaph planned for the tomb. The second inscription was unplanned and added later to the lefthand panel. According the information gathered from the inscriptions, this tomb was built for someone named Qñturahi. The fact that this individual emphasized his grandfather's name in place of his father's in this epitaph further intensifies the mystery of this tomb.