The Hellenistic Tumulus of Eşenköy in NW Turkey

Abstract

Tumuli, which are artificial hillocks on a flat plain, were burial grounds for the privileged in ancient times. The tumulus tradition was used from 2000 B.C. to the 3rd-4th century A.D., spanning Bulgaria, Greece, Central Asia and Southern Russia along with Anatolia and Syria. The tradition faded out with the spread of monotheistic beliefs and acceptance of Christianity. The tumulus examined in this study is located near Eşenköy in the sub-county of Manyas in the province of Balıkesir in NW T...