Çanakçı Rock Tombs
The Çanakçı Rock Tombs are a group of rock-carved tombs in Mersin Province, Turkey, right beside Kanlıdivane.
Geography
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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
[edit]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
[edit]- ^ Taşkıran, Celal (1993). Silifke (Seleucia on Calycadnus) and Environs (1st ed.). Ankara: SİM Matbaacılık Ltd. p. 117.
- ^ Online travellers' guide (in Turkish)
External links
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