Archaeologists have discovered two tumuluses during the excavations in the ancient city of Daskyleion in the northwestern province of Balikesir.
Associate Professor Kaan Iren from the Mugla University who heads the excavation team, told reporters, "we found a gate in one of the tumuluses which leads to a grave chamber. There were remains of two skeletons in the grave. We believe that they belonged to noble people or to members of the royal family."
"We also unearthed remains of a wooden desk in the tumulus. A glass bracelet, a silver earring, a perfume bottle and more than 30 coins were brought to daylight during the excavations," he said.
Iren said that they would carry out DNA analysis on the skeletons and flesh the skulls to identify the bodies.
Located some 30 kilometers away from Balikesir's Bandirma town, the ancient city was named after the King of Lydia "Daskylos". The king was sent to exile from Sardis because of dynasty conflicts and lived here for years.
During the excavations in 1954-1960, Turkish archeologist Prof. Dr. Ekrem Akurgal exposed a big Persian Province in the location.
Phrygians, Lydians, and Persians lived in the area including Alexander the Great's Helenistic period and Byzantian period. The first civilization was Phrygia which covered all 7th century B.C. Antique sources specify a city of Phrygia called "Afneon".
They lived here from the end of 8th century B.C. until the beginning of the 7th century B.C.
The Lydian civilization in Daskyleion took place between 7th century and mid 6th century. Later, Lydians and Persians lived in the region under Persian reign from 6th century and 4th century B.C. which was followed by the Macedonian Alexander the Great's reign. Then, from 321 B.C. to Roman era, "Hellenistic" period took place.
Source: World Bulletin [September 21, 2010]