The Treasures of Gordion (Ankara) Turkey – Chapter 3,
The first sight of the room astonished and delighted everyone. Inside lay a 2700-year-old treasure hoard. In a corner of the room was a wooden pallet resembling a carved bedstead. On top of it was a skeleton, that of King Midas. In fact, this Great Tumulus had been known as the grave of King Midas prior to this. Beside this pallet were nine three-legged tables. The wooden parts had rotted away but the lion clawed iron feet remained. The death gifts which had been placed on the tables had fallen to the ground where they lay in disarray. Among them were three bronze cauldrons, 175 bronze cups and bowls, and 173 bronze fibulas or brooches. There were also two wooden screens decorated with carved and inlaid geometric designs. The findings threw light on the art of the period and constituted a priceless treasury. The objects were carefully gathered up, and sent to Ankara Archaeology Museum to be cleaned and repaired, before being put on exhibit. These findings were not only valuable in themselves but also because they were the treasure of the legendary King Midas. Experts dated these works at 720-705 BC. There is a special section in the Ankara Archaeological Museum (now called the Museum of Anatolian Civilisations) where objects from Gordion and the Phrygian period are exhibited. They include Phrygian vases decorated with colored designs, stone and metal figurines, dishes and ornaments. If you ever go to Gordion you can visit the grave room of the Great Tumulus and the Gordion Museum opposite, where a portion of the treasure is exhibited.
Visiting Gordion (Ankara) Turkey
Regular group tours and private Gordion tours are available every day all year around accoring to your travel group sizes. You are able to combine your tours with Gordion, Hattusa Corum, famous Cappadocia and other cities of Turkey like Ephesus, Pamukkale, Antalya Perge, Troy and more.
