The Çanakçı Rock Tombs are a group of rock-carved tombs in Mersin Province, Turkey, right beside Kanlıdivane.
Geography
The Çanakçı Rock Tombs are at about 36°31′24″N 34°10′27″E / 36.52333°N 34.17417°E a few hundred meters west of Kanlıdivane sink hole. The general altitude of the area is around 225 metres (738 ft).They are sculpted on rocks on the southern side of a road running parallel to D.400 and the Mediterranean coastline at an altitude a few meters above the level of the road. The distance to Kumkuyu town is 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) to Erdemli is 19 kilometres (12 mi) and to Mersin is 56 kilometres (35 mi).
The tombs
The tombs form part of the western necropolis of Kanlıdivane and were carved around the 2nd century AD, during the period of the Roman Empire. Each chamber has a rectangular opening which could be closed with a stone block and most contain three tombs. Above most of the entrances are carved figures of the deceased including a soldier with a lance and battle-axe, a man reclining on a couch and two women. Two of the inscriptions survive, one condemning potential grave robbers and saying that they will be forced to pay a fine to a local temple. The names of two of the deceased, Appas and Hekataios, also survive. [1] [2]
References
- ^ Taşkıran, Celal (1993). Silifke (Seleucia on Calycadnus) and Environs (1st ed.). Ankara: SİM Matbaacılık Ltd. p. 117.
- ^ Online travellers' guide (in Turkish)
External links
